Abdeslam Ouaddou under early pressure after Orlando Pirates suffer Marumo Gallants sucker punch

Orlando Pirates’ sluggish start to the season deepened as they fell 2–1 to Marumo Gallants at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Sea Robbers remain winless after two matches. They looked strong early, with Patrick Maswanganyi opening the scoring. But Gallants hit back with goals in each half — first through Daniel Msendami and then a late strike by Jaisen Clifford — delivering another blow to Pirates’ championship aspirations this early in the campaign.

The Buccaneers started like a house on fire, seemingly intent on fixing the mistakes from their clash against Sekhukhune United. Dr Molemela Stadium — packed and pulsing with song — intensified the pressure on coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s broad shoulders.

He faced extra scrutiny from his former side on the opposing bench, who were clearly intent on making life difficult for him.

Despite making three changes from the Babina Noko loss, the Moroccan tactician stood by his selections, even though his line-up still lacked some of Jose Riveiro’s championship chasing fan favourites from last season.

Early on, that faith paid dividends. After crisp first-half exchanges, Deon Hotto’s move down the right, followed by a pinpoint cross, set up Maswanganyi — who, with the net at his mercy, slotted home just 16 minutes into the match.

With tension mounting and Gallants buoyed by recent form, the matchup turned heated both on and off the pitch with both benches exchanging heated words with a lot visibly on the line. Against the run of play Gallants struck in the 45th minute through Msendami, who finished a slick team move with a powerful drive that deflected off Sipho Chaine into the net.

The second half lacked the first’s energy. But just as the match seemed destined for a draw, Pirates went to sleep again in a critical phase of the match and Gallants delivered another telling blow.

Two minutes into added time, Clifford’s late strike sank the Buccaneers and lifted Gallants to the top of the standings as they back up their win against Richards Bay with another huge scalp.

Tuesday night's PSL results:

Marumo Gallants 2-1 Orlando Pirates

Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Amazulu

Orbit College 1-0 Siwelele FC