Orlando Pirates boss Abdeslam Ouaddou challenges club legends over criticism

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has hit back at former players and club legends who have criticised his approach, insisting he is focused on delivering results rather than teaching anyone how to play football.

Ouaddou has also taken a firm stance against showboating, warning that he could leave if players continued to do it during matches.

His comments have divided opinion. Some pundits agree that showboating has no place in professional football, while others believe the coach is limiting players’ freedom to express themselves. Some have also argued that such flair is part of South African football’s identity.

Speaking after Pirates’ 2-0 league victory over Marumo Gallants in Rustenburg, during a press conference carried by PrimeSportsWithMahlatse, Ouaddou said former coaches and legends should recognise that he had been appointed to fulfil specific objectives.

“I heard some ex coaches from Pirates, some let’s say ‘legends’ saying that coach Ouaddou cannot come here to teach us football,” he said.

“I don’t teach football to nobody. I’m very humble. I respect the culture. I respect this fantastic country. I like it. I love it. I love South Africa. I love these people.

“But these people who were ex-coaches, they have to understand that I am here for a mandate. I am here to get results. I am here to take the best for my team and to win games.”

The Moroccan coach said the former players should support the team rather than criticise him from outside the club. He also suggested they might have a different perspective if they experienced the demands of his role themselves.

“There is difference between skills to play forward, to score goals, to be efficient, and entertainment,” Ouaddou added.

“Entertainment is not for me, so I think they have to be careful because we have to work together. You know these ex-legends that they think they are working with us; they have to work with us.

“They have to help the coach. They have to help the team, and not speaking on the side like that because it doesn’t help the team.”

Ouaddou challenged the critics to take part in his training sessions and see whether they would find the job as straightforward as they suggest.

“It’s easy to speak and they can come; I am happy to bring them these ex-legends. They can come to have one week of training. I’m happy to see what they are going to do.

“I give them the whistle. I can give them the tracksuit and come on the bench, and we are going to see if it’s easy for them. But they cannot speak like that.”