Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou threatens to quit job over showboating

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has once again warned that he could walk away from the club if his players continue to display what he considers unnecessary showboating during matches.

The Moroccan-born coach was particularly unhappy with the attitude of some Pirates players during their CAF Champions League encounter against Mauritanian side LAs Cure Waves on Saturday.

Pirates had taken a commanding 3-1 lead and appeared to be in control of the contest, but Ouaddou was left frustrated by the players’ approach in the latter stages of the game.

According to the coach, the team lost some of its focus after taking the lead, with players attempting to entertain rather than maintaining their intensity and looking to score more goals.

Ouaddou insists his primary responsibility is to develop his players and instil a winning mentality, and he will not compromise on those principles.

He made it clear that he would rather leave his position than accept a culture in which players prioritise showboating over efficiency and results.

“My job as a coach is to improve players, is for them to give the best, to win games with a winning mentality. The moment that I will accept showboating, I will leave the results, I will leave everything, and I will pack my luggage and I will stop training,” said Ouaddou.

“Because it’s not my world, my world is winning games. We cannot go in the second half like that with showboating and to miss chances, to score six, seven goals. This is not serious.”

The strong comments underline Ouaddou’s demand for discipline and concentration from his squad, even when Pirates are comfortably ahead.

The coach believes matches should be managed professionally from start to finish, with players continuing to search for goals rather than becoming complacent after establishing an advantage.

His frustration also stems from the chances Pirates created and failed to convert after taking control of the game. Ouaddou feels the team could have scored significantly more had the players maintained the same level of seriousness and intensity.

The warning represents another firm message from the Pirates coach as he attempts to build a team based on discipline, competitiveness and a strong winning mentality.

With the CAF Champions League campaign continuing alongside domestic football, Ouaddou will expect his players to respond positively to his criticism and ensure their focus remains on results rather than individual displays of skill.

For the coach, the message is clear: entertainment cannot come at the expense of professionalism, and he is prepared to take drastic action if his expectations are not respected.