Orlando Pirates boss Ouaddou faces defining season, says club legend Mahlangu

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou faces a defining 2026/27 campaign as he attempts to show that last season’s domestic treble was the result of his own coaching rather than the foundations established by former manager Jose Riveiro, according to club legend Albert “Bashin” Mahlangu.

Ouaddou made an outstanding start to life in charge of the Soweto club, guiding Pirates to three domestic trophies, including the league title, in his first season. But Mahlangu believes the Moroccan-Frenchman will now come under serious scrutiny as he tries to repeat that success while also competing in the CAF Champions League.

Speaking to KickOff, Mahlangu said the pressure on Ouaddou would increase because Pirates are expected to maintain their standards despite the departure of Relebohile Mofokeng.

“This is going to be a testing season for the team because now the coach must prove who he really is,” Mahlangu said.

The former Pirates player added that winning the treble had created expectations which Ouaddou would have to meet, rather than rely on the success achieved in his first campaign.

“As it is, he is under pressure to defend the three trophies he won last season, including the league title. On top of that, he must perform well in the CAF Champions League. The fans are not expecting the team’s performance to drop just because Relebohile Mofokeng has left.”

Mofokeng’s departure means Pirates will need other players to take greater responsibility, while the club’s involvement in continental competition will place additional demands on the squad. Mahlangu believes the team must address several weaknesses before the season progresses.

He identified the goalkeeper, central defence and attack as the three areas requiring reinforcement, with the lack of goals from the forwards a particular concern.

“He will need to sign a back-up goalkeeper, a central defender, and obviously a striker because, at the moment, Pirates’ strikers are not scoring at all. Midfielders have been contributing more than the strikers. Those are things the Pirates coach needs to fix,” he added.

Mahlangu also appealed to Pirates’ supporters to remain patient with the club’s players, specifically Yanela Mbuthuma, who has faced criticism for his finishing.

The former player argued that Mbuthuma was not deliberately wasting chances and urged the supporters to encourage him rather than increase the pressure surrounding the striker.

“Also, the Pirates supporters need to support these boys all the way. The supporters must give Yanela Mbuthuma all the support he needs. He is not missing goals on purpose. Encourage the boy and support the decisions the coach makes,” Mahlangu pleaded.

Ouaddou’s immediate challenge comes in the MTN8, with Pirates set to face Sekhukhune United in the first leg of their semi-final at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

The fixture will provide an early opportunity for Ouaddou’s side to show whether it can begin the new campaign with the same authority that helped Pirates claim last season’s three domestic trophies.