Abdeslam Ouaddou, the new coach of Orlando Pirates, is feeling the heat – in a good way! He acknowledges the immense expectations that come with leading such a prestigious club, not just in South Africa, but across the entire African continent.
Winning Start & High Expectations
Ouaddou kicked off his Pirates tenure with a solid 2-0 victory against Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarterfinal at Orlando Stadium. Goals from Oswin Appollis and Patrick Maswanganyi secured their spot in the semi-finals later this month.
"The board didn't bring me here just to chill," Ouaddou stated, emphasizing the club's ambition. "I know the expectation of the fans, I know the expectation of the board, and of course, I will do my best to try to reach these targets."
Building on Success
Ouaddou praised the players' performance over the past three years and stressed the importance of continuing that momentum. "We have a big challenge this season," he added, hinting at ambitious goals for the team.
While Pirates started strongly, they faced some resistance in the second half. However, they managed to satisfy the enthusiastic crowd of 32,500 fans.
Ouaddou integrated several of Pirates' new signings into the game, showcasing the team's evolving dynamic. He highlighted the importance of starting with a win, especially in front of the home fans.
Polokwane City's Regret?
Meanwhile, Polokwane City's coach, Phuti Mohafe, is reportedly lamenting the sale of Oswin Appollis to Orlando Pirates. Mohafe described Appollis as irreplaceable, stating, "I lost a family member, so I am grieving." Appollis shone in his debut for the Bucs, highlighting the impact of the transfer.
Ouaddou aims for a team that starts with high intensity in every game. He expressed satisfaction with achieving most of their targets, including scoring early and maintaining a clean sheet. While slightly disappointed with the missed opportunities for a third goal in the second half, he remains optimistic about the team's progress.