Nkosinathi Sibisi embraces Abdeslam Ouaddou’s demanding standards at Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi says the squad has responded positively to Abdeslam Ouaddou’s uncompromising methods, including the head coach’s willingness to criticise players publicly even after convincing victories.

Ouaddou, the Moroccan-Frenchman, has quickly established a reputation in domestic football for demanding more from his team regardless of the result. For him, winning is not enough if the performance falls short of the level he expects.

That approach was clear after Pirates’ recent Carling Knockout Last 16 match against Milford FC. Although the Buccaneers won 3-0 and progressed comfortably, Ouaddou criticised his players for being “selfish” and wasteful in front of goal.

Sibisi, an experienced defender, said the squad has become accustomed to the coach’s direct assessments and sees them as an opportunity to improve rather than a source of tension.

“I think we have gotten used to the coach,” Sibisi told journalists during the Soweto Derby press conference.

“For some of us who have been with him since the past season, it’s been easier to understand what he wants and what he demands.

“I think everyone who just came in also learned and understands him because he doesn’t demand a lot, but he wants excellence. Whether we won 3-0 or 4-0, when we should have won 8-0 or 10-0, he will say it. He is a straight talker, so for us it’s just to take it in a positive manner and push,” he added.

The Pirates captain said the coach’s expectations were clear to both the players who worked with him during the previous season and those who have joined the squad more recently.

Ouaddou’s methods will be tested again when Pirates return to Betway Premiership action against their biggest domestic rivals, Kaizer Chiefs.

The Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday, scheduled for 15:30, represents one of the most significant challenges of the season for the Buccaneers. The players will therefore have to apply the lessons from Ouaddou’s feedback immediately as they prepare for the high-profile encounter.

Sibisi’s comments suggest the squad is increasingly comfortable with a manager who focuses on the quality of a performance as much as the final score. Even a three-goal victory, in Ouaddou’s view, can leave room for substantial improvement when chances have been missed.