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Katlego Letlapa, Sekhukhune United, Sihle Nduli Orlando PiratesBackpage
Kiplagat Sang

'So Kaizer Chiefs are the only team that will win first game? Orlando Pirates will not beat Mamelodi Sundowns! Abdeslam Ouaddou has Nasreddine Nabi tendencies: sell Kabelo Dlamini to Siwelele FC, bring back Makhehlene Makhaula and Thalente Mbatha' - Fans

Bucs were expectedly ambitious going into the new season, but an opening loss to Babina Noko has dealt their hopes a major blow.

Abdeslam Ouaddou's reign in the Premier Soccer League with Orlando Pirates started badly after suffering a 1-0 loss to Sekhukhune United on Saturday.

To make it worse, the opening game was lost at the Orlando Stadium; Siphesihle Mkhize struck for Babina Noko in the early stages of the second half, and the Bucs never recovered. 

Earlier, Mamelodi Sundowns, Pirates' expected top challengers in the title race, dropped points, and the Soweto giants did not take advantage of that slip-up. 

After the loss, GOAL takes a look at how fans reacted as the Buccaneers were denied crucial points as the 2025/26 PSL door swings open.

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  • Kaizer Chiefs, July 2025Kaizer Chiefs

    Chiefs to win?

    So Kaizer Chiefs is the only big team that will win its first league game of the season? - dEAR

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  • Orlando Pirates fansBackpagepix

    No expectations

    As an honest fan, I'm not going to be negative. Our previous coach also struggled with opening games. I'm going to be honest and say I have no expectations for this season; it's a rebuilding season, so I won't attack the coach if management feels like he's good for the team - ExtraMfundo

  • Deon Hotto & Teboho Mokoena, Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando Pirates, January 2025Orlando Pirates

    Bucs cannot beat Masandawana

    I don't see Orlando Pirates beating Sundowns. We don't have a goalkeeper, and then this coach continues to start with Radiopane. It doesn't make sense because he is always late. But I know they are going to attack me because we are scared of the truth - Tall Azz Jay

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  • Siphesihle Mkhize of Sekhukhune United and Relebohile Mofokeng of Orlando PiratesBackpagepix

    Not convinced

    These are the games we should be winning; we can drop points against noisemakers, but we should be getting maximum points against such teams. Fluidity from match 5, I am not convinced yet - Leftie

  • Olisa Ndah, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Bring them back

    Bring back (Olisa) Ndah, (Deano van Rooyen) DVR, (Evidence) Makgopa and (Tshegofatso) Mabasa to the team - Coach Sphe

  • Abdeslam Ouaddou of Orlando PiratesBackpagepix

    Nabi tendencies

    Coach Abdeslam thinks Pirates played beautiful football and controlled the game. I did mention that the new coach has Nabi tendencies, just rushed football, and talks about created chances; it's going to be a long season, mabhakaniya - Foageub

  • Kabelo Dlamini and Relebohile Mofokeng, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Sell Kabelo

    Sell Dlamini to Siwelele, drop Maswangayi, and start with Shakira (Abdoulaye Mariko), and thank you for not selling Mofokeng. The boy will carry the country... a hard-fought loss, but feel proud, boys. We will get there - Axeman Mohaleroa

  • Abdeslam Ouaddou and Mandla Ncikazi, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Not broken, don't fix

    Coach, we support you, but we love Orlando Pirates. If you believe in Radiopane, we understand. Maybe start with what worked before, which is Makgopa & Mabasa; those are now senior players.

    Also, Deon Hotto is a hard-working player, but he fails with combination play, and he fails with first touches. We will have issues with you if you want to overhaul the squad; don’t fix it if it’s not broken - TheDon

  • Jose Riveiro, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Back to zero

    We are back to zero with this coach. Let’s get Jose back before it’s too late - Mabasa Ntshuxeko

  • Makhehlene Makhaula, Orlando Pirates, September 2024Backpagepix

    Makhaula, Mbatha needed

    We will pay the price for some of these unnecessary signings we made. We look like a completely different team. Makhaula or Mbatha is still needed in that midfield - KG

  • Rhulani MokwenaBackpage

    Gamble

    Orlando Pirates management took a huge gamble by hiring this coach; they should have given Rhulani Mokwena a chance — Oliphant

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