Orlando Pirates captain Sibisi explains Ouaddou’s conditions for showboating

Orlando Pirates players have been told they can express themselves on the pitch – but only after they have done the important work in front of goal, captain Nkosinathi Sibisi says.

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has previously cautioned his players against allowing individual flair to take priority over the team’s objectives. His concerns have been particularly relevant when matches are still undecided or when Pirates have dominated without turning that pressure into goals.

But the coach’s position has softened after a number of convincing performances in which the Buccaneers found the net regularly. Ouaddou is now prepared to give his players more freedom to entertain, provided they remain ruthless and complete their main task.

Sibisi believes that approach is appropriate for a young Pirates squad that contains players eager to demonstrate their individual ability.

Speaking at the Soweto Derby press conference at SuperSport Studios in Randburg, the Pirates captain said players naturally wanted to express themselves, but that freedom was harder to show when the result remained uncertain.

“Yeah, look, I think we have a young squad. Sometimes they want to express themselves, and they can’t express themselves when the game is normal or 1-1, or 2-0,” Sibisi told the media.

He said Ouaddou’s demand for more goals was designed to ensure that creativity and flair helped rather than hindered the team’s performance.

“So the coach tries and emphasises that you must score a lot of goals, and then you can express yourself as best as possible, because people want to see a show,” he added.

Sibisi also argued that Pirates should not suppress players whose game is built around creativity. He used Mpho Padime, known as Popo, as an example of a footballer whose attacking qualities should be embraced rather than restricted.

“We don’t want to limit players in their full capacity because Popo is not a ‘Bodlela’ who will defend. Popo is a showman. Sometimes we have to accept that it’s his quality, and we must use that,” Sibisi said.

The captain acknowledged that finding the correct balance was important. Pirates must first meet the demands of the match and secure the outcome before players can give supporters the entertainment they want.

He added that the team’s followers appreciated that style of football and continued to attend in large numbers to watch it.

“I think even our supporters come in numbers to watch that kind of football. So, yeah, we try to find a balance. We have to deliver, the coach wants us to deliver, score your goals, and then you can enjoy after,” Sibisi concluded.