Orlando Pirates make strongest five-game start under Abdeslam Ouaddou

Orlando Pirates have made a significantly stronger start to the Betway Premiership season under Abdeslam Ouaddou, scoring twice as many goals and conceding fewer than they had after the same number of matches last campaign.

The Buccaneers strengthened their position at the top of the standings by beating newcomers Kruger United 4-0, a result which increased their lead to three points. Yanela Mbuthuma scored twice, while Gamphani Lungu and Boitumelo Radiopane were also on target.

Pirates have taken 13 points from their opening five league fixtures, dropping points only in a 1-1 draw with AmaZulu on a rainy night in Durban. Their other four matches have all ended in victory.

The record represents an improvement on the corresponding stage of last season, Ouaddou’s first campaign in charge. Pirates have won 80% of their league matches this term, compared with a 60% winning rate after five games last season.

That difference is particularly notable given the pressure placed on the French-Moroccan coach at the beginning of his tenure. Ouaddou opened his reign with consecutive defeats by Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants, leaving his position under scrutiny.

The former Gallants head coach responded with three successive wins against Stellenbosch, Orbit College and Chippa United. However, despite that run, Pirates had collected only nine points after their first five matches last season and were fifth in the table following a 3-0 victory over Chippa United on 31 August 2025.

Their attacking output has also changed markedly. Pirates scored six goals in their opening five league matches last season, although they were defensively solid and conceded only three.

This time, the emphatic win against Kruger United took their tally to 12 goals at the same stage – double last season’s figure. They have also conceded just one goal, underlining the contrast between their current campaign and the early weeks of the previous one.

Pirates’ only failure to take maximum points this season came against AmaZulu, but their overall form has allowed them to establish an early advantage at the summit. The combination of four wins, a draw and a strong goal difference has given Ouaddou’s side a considerably more convincing platform than the one they had after five matches in his first season.