Orlando Pirates aim for results and entertainment as squad depth boosts momentum

Orlando Pirates are one of the big teams who play not only for results but also to keep The Ghost on the edge of their seats by playing enterprising football and consistently securing victories.

Pirates are currently the most consistent side in domestic football. They have won eight of their nine games across all competitions, with their only blemish being a draw against champions and log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns away from home.

That result hasn’t dented their aspirations, as the two teams are neck and neck in the Betway Premiership, both on 25 points. Pirates could even jump to the top of the log if they beat Durban City in their game in hand at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday (3.30pm).

Pirates have also carried their domestic form into cup competitions. They have already won the MTN8 this season — their fourth in a row — and are in the Carling Knockout final, where they will face Marumo Gallants at New Peter Mokaba Stadium next Saturday (6pm), December 6.

In their bid to finish the year on a high, the Pirates coach is seeking not only results from his charges but top performances as well. He understands that this is part of the job and of the modern football era.

“Both of them,” Ouaddou said. “The result is very important, but when you are the coach of such a big club — one of the biggest in South Africa and Africa — you must understand that people are coming to watch a show, especially in modern football.

“When people are coming to pack a stadium, as the new generation of coaches, we take these things into consideration, especially when we pass our badges. The way you deliver the game — the show, the performance and the results — is very important.”

Pirates have enough depth to deliver on that demand. They welcomed Makhehleni Makhaula and Olisa Ndah back into the match-day squad during their 2-0 win over Chippa United at home on Tuesday night, with both having been sidelined due to injuries for some time.

Ouaddou is grateful for the duo’s return, thanking the medical team for a sterling job, and revealing how the PSL Midfielder of the Season, Makhaula, has been reminding him that “I am back!”

“I am a happy coach, so when you have all these players back and growing the numbers in your team, it comes in handy,” Ouaddou said. “I know it’s difficult to make choices, but I prefer to have a nice headache when selecting players.

“When someone has been injured for a long time, you need to work with them mentally and treat them properly. So, the medical team did a fantastic job for us to be able to work with them again.

“Regarding ‘Cash’, when he came to see me in the morning over the last three weeks, he squeezed my hand hard and told me, ‘Coach, I am here and back’. He made me feel that he’s ready. I am happy that he’s back, and we could also see the love the fans gave him.”

Ouaddou’s squad depth doesn’t only bode well for Pirates but for the national team as well. As a result, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has called up at least 12 Pirates players in his provisional AFCON squad.

This has made Ouaddou and the club beam with pride, as he knows it is part of their role to be a feeder team to the national side, especially ahead of major tournaments.

“We have to give credit to our club — we are working for the nation and the country. We have a duty to the club, but we also need to prepare players for the national team,” Ouaddou said. “Soon, they’ll go to AFCON, and we want to offer the national team the most competitive players.

“We are at the disposal of the national team and their coach. And I am very happy for them.”