Ouaddou sets new standards as Pirates’ unbeaten run reaches 20 matches

Abdeslam Ouaddou has established himself as the creme de la creme at Orlando Pirates after guiding the club to a record-breaking 20-match unbeaten run in the league.

The Moroccan-Frenchman has made a significant impact since taking charge, winning the Betway Premiership, MTN8 and Carling Knockout in his first season as manager.

Pirates’ league title also produced the strongest statistical campaign in the club’s PSL history. They finished with 69 points, won 21 matches, scored 58 goals, conceded only 12 and recorded a goal difference of +46. Their average of 2.3 points per game was also a club record.

Ouaddou has now taken Pirates past their previous best unbeaten league sequence in the PSL era, which began in August 1996.

The Buccaneers have gone 20 league matches without defeat since losing to Mamelodi Sundowns in February. During that period they have claimed 15 wins and five draws, collecting 50 points from a possible 60 at an average of 2.5 points per match.

They have scored 48 goals and conceded six across the run. AmaZulu, Kaizer Chiefs, Richards Bay twice, Siwelele and Polokwane City are the only teams to have scored against them during that sequence.

Pirates’ form this season has included six wins and one draw from seven matches, giving them 19 points and an early platform in their defence of the title.

Their previous longest unbeaten league run was 19 matches, achieved under Rudi Krol in 2009. Pirates lost 2-1 to Moroka Swallows in February that year, then went 19 games without defeat before Santos ended the sequence in October.

Ouaddou has suffered only three defeats in the 37 league matches he has overseen since becoming Pirates manager. Two of those losses came in his first match in charge, when his critics were quick to voice their disapproval, but the 47-year-old has since answered them with a sustained period of success.

He is also one of only eight coaches to have managed more than 50 matches in all competitions since the calendar moved from 1999 to 2000. Jose Riveiro, Rudi Krol, Josef Zinnbauer, Milutin Sredojevic during his second stint, Eric Tinkler, Roger de Sa and Kosta Papic are the other coaches to reach that mark.

Ouaddou’s longevity stands out at a club that has experienced a succession of managers during the same period. That list includes Ted Dumitru, Ronald Mkandawire, Shuaibu Amodu, Gordon Igesund, Augusto Palacios on four occasions, Jean-Yves Kerjean, Roy Barreto, Tebogo Moloi, Sredojevic during his first spell, Bibey Mutombo, Owen Da Gama, Julio Leal, Vladimir Vermezovic, Muhsin Ertugral, Kjell Jonevret, Rulani Mokwena and the partnership of Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi.