Pirates’ winning formula continues to deliver despite Mofokeng and Maswanganyi departures

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Tyren Arendse says the club’s recruitment and head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s willingness to trust young players have helped the Soweto giants maintain their winning momentum after losing key figures Relebohile Mofokeng and Patrick Maswanganyi.

Pirates faced a major rebuilding challenge when Mofokeng completed his move to Royale Saint-Gilloise. The midfielder had just been named both the Players’ Player of the Season and Footballer of the Season, making his departure a significant loss for the club.

Maswanganyi, known as ‘Tito’, also left during the transfer market, but Pirates have continued to produce strong results despite the exits.

The Buccaneers have strengthened their squad with a group of new signings, including Mthetheleli Mthiyane, Thapelo Mokobodi, Matome Mmolai, Gamphani Lungu, Sbangani Zulu, Bohlale Ngwato, Sebastien Pedersen, Neo Rapoo and Kabelo Kgositsile.

They have also promoted players such as Mpho Padime, with most of the new arrivals settling quickly into the team.

Pirates have made a solid start to the Betway Premiership and recently secured a place in their fifth successive MTN8 final. They booked their place in the final by beating Sekhukhune United 3-0 in the second leg of their semi-final, completing a 4-0 aggregate victory.

Arendse believes Ouaddou deserves recognition for the way he has introduced and supported the club’s younger players.

“Bringing in new players, I think people can sort of respect him (Ouaddou) for what he’s doing. I mean if you lose a few of your top players, Rele left, ‘Tito’ (Maswanganyi) left, it’s amazing work that the coach is doing, bringing in new players,” Arendse said.

He added that giving inexperienced players confidence can be a difficult decision for a coach, but said the newcomers had responded positively to the opportunity.

“Especially believing and trusting the new players. It’s very difficult to see a coach trusting a young player and giving him confidence. I think the new players who have come in, they are taking the opportunity, which is good.

“Pirates recruitment is obviously very good in bringing in those young players. It seems like where they ended last season, they just keep going and winning. It’s good for the Pirates supporters.”

Pirates’ recruitment strategy has also been praised by Zongo, who backed Padime to follow in Mofokeng’s footsteps.

The club’s next major challenge will come against Mamelodi Sundowns, with the two sides set to renew their rivalry in the MTN8 final on 10 October.

Arendse, who also played for Sundowns, expects the match to provide a significant test of Pirates’ progress under Ouaddou.

“It’s going to be interesting. That could be the first big test for Pirates,” Arendse suggested.