Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why he believes his former club Marumo Gallants will turn their fortunes around despite a slow start to the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa currently languish at the bottom of the league standings. In their opening seven Betway Premiership fixtures, Gallants have yet to taste victory, having collected just two points from five defeats and two draws.
The club’s poor run of form led to the departure of head coach Phuti Mohafe and his assistant Musa Bilankulu earlier this month, just three months into their tenure at Gallants.
Gallants subsequently appointed former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo to take charge of the club.
However, Kanalelo’s spell began with a setback on Sunday, as Gallants suffered a 2-0 defeat to Pirates at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng.
ABDESLAM OUADDOU ON MARUMO GALLANTS’ POTENTIAL
Ouaddou, who previously coached Gallants between March and May 2025 before guiding them to a 10th-place finish, remains adamant that the North West-based outfit possesses enough quality to climb out of the relegation zone.
Speaking to journalists after Sunday’s encounter, the Buccaneers mentor highlighted the individual talent within the Gallants squad.
“We had a game that we expected. I told my boys two days ago that we were going to play one of the most difficult games since the beginning of the season because this team, Marumo Gallants, individually has very good players,” said Ouaddou.
“I can tell you that this team will not stay in this position [16th place on the table]. They have quality, you know. They just have to believe in themselves to keep going and to work together. I really wish them all the best for the future.”
Gallants will be eager to bounce back and secure their first three points of the season when they return to league action after the FIFA international break. The club’s next league assignment will be against Sekhukhune United on Saturday, 17 October in Polokwane.
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