MTN8 victory confirms Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is no ‘plumber’

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou proved his doubters wrong again over the weekend when he masterminded the club’s brilliant MTN8 final win over Stellenbosch FC.

The Moroccan has had his back against the wall ever since he was appointed by the club following Jose Riveiro’s departure. Many called the former Fulham defender a “plumber,” and his credentials were questioned.

Prior to taking charge of Pirates, he was the head coach of Marumo Gallants, whom he managed to keep in the top flight thanks to a late run of form. However, despite that, fans and pundits doubted his ability to lead a big club like Pirates.

After the club began the new season with two losses, the knives were out, and speculation that he wouldn’t be in the job come the Soweto derby was rife. But since those losses, he’s been turning the club’s season around one game at a time.

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In the league, they’ve won three matches on the spin and have been clawing their way up the table. Most importantly, he’s managed to lead the club to another MTN8 title.

Saturday’s final wasn’t a classic. Both teams squandered opportunities as the game ended 0-0 after 90 minutes. Late in the game, he switched things up tactically, and substitutes Oswin Appollis and Tshegofatso Mabasa were influential when they scored three times in extra time.

Even so, Ouaddou remained characteristically humble about the triumph, acknowledging the doubts that have followed him: “I think maybe I’m still a plumber or carpenter for many people; I don’t think myself better than Steve Barker.”

The sentiment echoes the challenges faced by previous Pirates coaches, such as Jose Riveiro, who was also labeled a “plumber” in his early days but went on to prove critics wrong by leading the team to the MTN8 title in 2022. On Saturday, Ouaddou did the same. If the club can continue their run of form, he will continue to win over fans, and he will be free of the “plumber” tag.

Ouaddou’s journey at Pirates is still in its early chapters, but this triumph already feels like a turning point that could define his tenure. He has shown resilience under pressure, tactical flexibility in key moments, and a willingness to trust his squad when it matters most.

With the MTN8 trophy secured, the immediate pressure has eased, but the bigger challenge lies ahead. Maintaining consistency in the league, competing for every cup on offer, and keeping up with rivals in the title race will now be the true tests of his leadership.

Yet, if the early signs are anything to go by, Ouaddou has both the resilience and the vision to guide the Buccaneers into a new era of success. Momentum is on his side, belief is returning to the stands, and suddenly, what began as a sceptical appointment could be the start of a defining chapter in Orlando Pirates’ proud history.

IOL Sport

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