Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has addressed the growing frustration among the fans following the Soweto giants’ difficult start to the new season, marked by consecutive league defeats.
Ouaddou is facing early pressure as Pirates have yet to earn a point in the 2025/26 season, following a 2-1 loss to Marumo Gallants at a packed Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night.
The defeat leaves the Sea Robbers winless after two Betway Premiership matches, as they also lost to Sekhukhune United at home over the weekend. The consecutive losses have sparked an outcry from Pirates fans, who have voiced their frustration with coach Ouaddou on social media and at stadiums.
Supporters widely questioned his team selection and choices. Having replaced Jose Riveiro, who won five trophies with the club and is now at Al Ahly, Ouaddou finds himself under scrutiny just a few games into the new campaign.
Speaking after the game against his former club, Gallants, the Moroccan coach acknowledged the high expectations that come with managing a team of Pirates’ stature. He expressed his understanding of the Bucs supporters’ unhappiness, emphasising that the technical team shares the fans’ disappointment.
OUADDOU ADMITS HIGH EXPECTATIONS AT PIRATES, UNDERSTANDS FAN FRUSTRATION
“When you come into such a big institution who are playing for titles and cup competitions, of course, there is a lot of expectation”, said Ouaddou. “You can understand the fans’ [frustration], it is normal, and we understand them. When a club loses two games in a row like that, it is normal that the fans are not happy, and we [technical team] are not happy as well to lose.”
Meanwhile, Ouaddou has also faced scrutiny from fans and pundits over his squad selection. The Bucs coach has made a notable shift in the team, benching regulars from the successful Riveiro era in favour of new signings. Several key players from last season, including Thalente Mbatha, Makhehlene Makhaula, Deano van Rooyen, and Tshegofatso Mabasa, have not yet played a game under Ouaddou.
In his defence, Ouaddou explained that his squad changes are a strategic move to prepare the team for the numerous competitions Pirates will be involved in this season.
“I think we have so many players and we decided this line-up [against Gallants], because we have many games as well. When you make such a decision, you have to understand that we will be playing in the MTN8 against a very strong team [Mamelodi Sundowns],” he said.
“So, we have to make some choices like we did. If we had won, the choice might have been good, but now that we’ve lost, people will naturally say it wasn’t. But it’s football, it’s like that. We make some choices and that’s it.”
Ouaddou’s troops must quickly rebound from their disappointing loss to Gallants as they prepare for a crucial test against Sundowns. The two giants will clash on Saturday in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-final, with Pirates hosting the Brazilians at Orlando Stadium.
RELATED STORY: Gallants stun Pirates in Betway Premiership tie