Orlando Pirates boss Abdeslam Ouaddou defends criticism of players after Chippa win

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has defended the way he criticised his senior players after their 1-1 draw against AmaZulu FC, saying the public response he received from his squad was exactly what he wanted.

Ouaddou came under scrutiny after singling out Sipho Chaine and Nkosinathi Sibisi for criticism following Wednesday’s match. However, the Buccaneers responded in emphatic fashion on Sunday afternoon by beating Chippa United 3-0 at Kings Park in Durban.

Ghampani Lungu, Lebone Seema and Daniel Msendami scored as Orlando Pirates returned to winning ways after dropping points in the draw with AmaZulu FC.

The result also strengthened the club’s position at the top of the Betway Premiership standings, with the Buccaneers having moved above arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs.

Speaking after the victory, Ouaddou rejected suggestions that a head coach should not address his players so forcefully in public. The French-Moroccan manager said his approach was based on his understanding of the personalities within his squad and the reaction he expected from them.

“I think my boys gave me a great response,” he said on SuperSport TV.

“You know, when a father or big brother is shouting in the dressing room, who else knows better than me my players, the psychology of my players.

“So, people talk too much to say the coach he cannot talk like that in the media. I’m expecting an answer, and sometimes you need to be a little bit hard with your boys to have this kind of performance.”

Ouaddou’s comments came after criticism from football fans over the manner in which he addressed his senior players following the AmaZulu result. The coach maintained that his words were intended to provoke a reaction rather than undermine the players.

That response arrived against Chippa United, as Orlando Pirates produced a decisive performance and scored three times without reply. Lungu, Seema and Msendami provided the goals to secure a convincing win for Ezimnyama Ngenkani.

The victory allowed the Buccaneers to recover immediately from the points dropped against AmaZulu FC. It also helped them cement their place at the summit of the Betway Premiership standings after they toppled Kaizer Chiefs.

Ouaddou said the exchanges between a coach and his players can sometimes require a stronger approach, comparing his role to that of a father or older brother inside the dressing room. His view is that criticism can be necessary when it is intended to demand a better performance.

The coach’s decision to challenge the players has therefore been followed by a significant result, with Orlando Pirates returning to winning ways and maintaining their position at the top of the league.