Nkosinathi Sibisi backs Abdeslam Ouaddou’s demand for excellence at Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi has defended coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s consistently high expectations, saying the manager’s calls for more goals reflect a pursuit of excellence rather than dissatisfaction with the team’s results.

Pirates have produced several impressive performances this season, including convincing victories in which they scored freely. Despite that, Ouaddou has continued to challenge his players to improve and become more clinical in front of goal.

The coach’s comments on national television, in which he described some players as selfish or greedy near the opposition goal, led to questions from supporters. Some felt the criticism was difficult to understand when Pirates had already won matches comfortably.

Sibisi, however, said Ouaddou’s words had been misunderstood. He argued that a club of Pirates’ stature should not be satisfied with winning alone when there is an opportunity to perform at an even higher level.

Speaking at the Soweto Derby press conference at SuperSport Studios in Randburg, the defender said the squad had responded positively to the manager’s approach.

“Look, I think the coach has been misinterpreted, if I can say, because he demands excellence. Good is not enough. And for a club like Pirates, excellence always has to prevail,” Sibisi told the media.

The Pirates captain also rejected any suggestion that the coach’s comments had created frustration within the dressing room. According to Sibisi, the players accepted that they could have converted more of their chances in some matches.

“I think for the boys, they’re taking it in a positive manner. There’s no one sulking about it. We know we should have scored more goals, that we know ourselves,” he said.

Sibisi explained that Ouaddou’s insistence on improvement was intended to establish the mindset required at the highest level, rather than diminish the team’s achievements.

He said the coach wanted Pirates to continue attacking and searching for more goals instead of settling once a match appeared to be under control.

“I think it speaks to the character of the coach to say we shouldn’t be satisfied as a club. Why be satisfied to score three when you can score eight? That should be the mentality. And I think the boys are taking it in a positive manner,” Sibisi added.

The captain’s comments came as Pirates prepared for the Soweto Derby, with the squad publicly backing Ouaddou’s approach despite the scrutiny surrounding his post-match and televised remarks.