Lekoelea backs controlled showboating after Ouaddou’s Pirates warning

Orlando Pirates great Steve Lekoelea says players should be allowed to entertain supporters with their skills, but only when it is done constructively and by the right individuals.

His comments follow head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s firm opposition to showboating when Pirates are comfortably ahead, after the club appeared to ease off during their 3-1 CAF Champions League victory over La Cure Waves of Mauritius at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.

Ouaddou has adopted what he described as a “zero tolerance” approach to players putting on a show and has even threatened to resign if they do not stop.

Pirates have nevertheless reached the second preliminary round of the competition, where they will face Namibia’s African Stars over two legs on 16-18 October and 23-25 October.

Lekoelea, who became known for his flamboyant wing play during his time with the club, believes skill should have a clear purpose rather than simply being used for personal display.

“Players should do showboating in a professional way, not this thing of kneeling down and stuff. It should be used to help the team win,” he told KickOff.

He also acknowledged why Ouaddou has taken such a strong position, arguing that the coach carries the greatest responsibility when results go against a major club.

“It’s not okay to showboat when your team is not even playing well. The reason the Pirates coach doesn’t want it is because he is coaching a big team. Remember, it’s his head that will be on the block if the team doesn’t win.”

Lekoelea admitted that he did not always follow instructions from his own coaches when deciding whether to display his skills.

“I ignored coaches when it came to showboating. I used to do my own thing,” he said.

He said his approach was influenced by the supporters who paid to watch him reproduce the skills they had previously seen on television.

“That’s because I understood that among the crowd, there are supporters who left their homes and spent their last money just to see Steve Lekoelea do what they’ve only seen him doing on TV.”

He added that flair has long formed part of the identity of Orlando Pirates, with the crowd’s reaction often lifting the team.

“It’s Pirates’ culture that every time a player does a skill, the supporters will whistle in excitement. Ivusa nala amanye ama player [It also uplifts the mood of the other players].”

However, Lekoelea accepted that excessive showboating can undermine the players who use it and create tension with the coaching staff.

“But I repeat, it must be done in the right way, and it must only be done by certain players. It’s a gift from God.

“Sometimes it’s the players who are giving showboating a bad name by overdoing it. Bakwatisa ama coach [They irritate the coaches].”