Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou warns against ‘showboating’ after Champions League progress

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has told his players they must cut out complacency and individual showboating if they are to challenge for the CAF Champions League.

The warning came despite Pirates reaching the second preliminary round with a 3-1 aggregate victory over La Cure Waves SC at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

Ouaddou was particularly frustrated by his side’s performance after half-time, when the reigning Betway Premiership champions appeared to lose intensity despite being in control of the tie.

Pirates created several opportunities to extend their lead but were wasteful in front of goal. The coach also felt some players were prioritising individual moments over the team’s performance.

“I will not accept showboating in my team,” Ouaddou told the media.

“If we want to win the Champions League and go far in the competition, we have to be serious and stop this thing of showboating because it does not help the team but the ego of whoever is doing it.

“As a coach, all I want is goals, goals, goals, and nothing more. If the players want to showboat, they can do it, not with me here.”

The French-Moroccan manager’s comments followed a match in which Pirates had to recover from an early setback.

Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Sipho Chaine made an uncharacteristic mistake to hand the visitors the opening goal, leaving the home side facing the possibility of an unwanted early exit from the tie.

Pirates responded quickly, however, with Kabelo Kgositsile and Kamogelo Sebelebele scoring before half-time to turn the match around.

Yanela Mbuthuma then added a third after the break to put the hosts firmly in command. His goal was another positive moment for Ouaddou, with the striker continuing his strong scoring run after returning to the starting line-up.

The coach, though, believed the final scoreline did not remove the need for improvement. Since taking charge, Ouaddou has repeatedly demanded greater intensity and collective responsibility from his players.

The former performances were not enough to satisfy him, and he made clear that individualism would not be tolerated as Pirates pursue a deep run in Africa’s premier club competition.

Pirates will play African Stars of Namibia in the second preliminary round. African Stars advanced after eliminating AS Mangasport of Gabon.

Before that tie, Ouaddou’s focus will return to the Betway Premiership, where Pirates need to recover ground on early leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

The match also featured Jacques Bebe Bile of La Cure Waves SC competing against the Orlando Pirates players at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

Progression to the next round has secured Pirates’ immediate objective, but Ouaddou’s message was that success will depend on maintaining the same standards across the full 90 minutes.