Ouaddou’s Past Shapes Orlando Pirates’ Future

From defender to coach, the Moroccan tactician brings balance, resilience, and unity to the Sea Robbers

Abdeslam Ouaddou’s 17-year professional playing career is proving invaluable in his current role as head coach of Orlando Pirates. Once a rock-solid defender for clubs such as Fulham and the Moroccan national team, Ouaddou is now instilling his experience and philosophy into a Pirates side that is steadily climbing the Betway Premiership table. His leadership has already yielded trophies, victories, and a renewed sense of discipline for the Soweto giants.

Victory Over TS Galaxy

Last weekend, the Buccaneers clipped TS Galaxy’s wings with a 2-0 victory at Orlando Stadium. Galaxy arrived in fine form, unbeaten in their previous five matches, but Pirates had the answers. Goals from Evidence Makgopa and Tshegofatso Mabasa secured the win and moved the team up to third place on the log. The victory capped off an impressive September in which Pirates recorded six wins and one draw, cementing their reputation as serious contenders this season.

A Trophy-Winning Mentality

Beyond league form, Ouaddou guided Pirates to another historic triumph in the MTN8 final. After a goalless 90 minutes, substitutes Tshepang Moremi and Oswin Appollis helped secure a 3-0 extra-time win. The result delivered Pirates’ record-extending fourth consecutive MTN8 crown. But Ouaddou was quick to share the credit. “You can win a match with 11 players, but if you want to win a competition, then you need a bigger group of players to succeed,” he told reporters, highlighting the collective spirit that defines his approach.

Building from the Back

Defensive stability has been a hallmark of Ouaddou’s short reign, unsurprising given his background as a defender. Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine enjoyed multiple clean sheets in September, and Pirates now boast one of the league’s tightest backlines. However, Ouaddou stresses balance over rigidity. “I was a defender—but one who liked the game and fast football. Now, I am not only focused on defence, I focus with my vision. You have to be efficient inside and outside the box—that’s very important for me.”

Lessons from the Past

Ouaddou explains that his captaincy days shaped his understanding of both defensive and attacking responsibilities. “The game was clear to me for some time. I had a lot of expectations as a captain and defender, playing for strikers. I just used that experience and brought it to the club as a coach.” This holistic approach ensures Pirates can dominate defensively without sacrificing creativity and efficiency in attack.

Mabasa: A Striker Reborn

One of the biggest beneficiaries of Ouaddou’s philosophy has been Tshegofatso Mabasa. The 29-year-old forward recently scored his 50th goal for the club when he came off the bench to net against TS Galaxy. His journey, however, has not been without challenges. Once rumored to be seeking an exit due to limited playing time, Mabasa chose to stay and fight for his place a decision that has paid off handsomely for both him and the team.

A Team Player’s Heart

Mabasa’s contribution extends beyond goals. In the Galaxy match, he selflessly encouraged Makgopa to take a penalty, which was successfully converted. He also celebrated with genuine joy when teammate Yanela Mbuthuma scored his first goal for the club. His humility was further underscored when, during a recent game, he asked Ouaddou to bring on another teammate instead of himself with 15 minutes left to play. “It shows his fantastic abilities as a player,” Ouaddou said. “At training, he was always advising his teammates. He has a very clean heart.”

Sailing Steady Into the Future

With Ouaddou at the helm, Pirates appear to be sailing steady waters. His ability to merge defensive resilience with attacking sharpness, while fostering unity and humility, is shaping a team capable of challenging for silverware on multiple fronts. For the Moroccan coach, it is not just about winning games—it is about building a culture that reflects his own journey from defender to leader.

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