Ouaddou encouraged by unbeaten Orlando Pirates start as title defence gathers pace

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says his side are “cruising well” after making an unbeaten start to their defence of the Betway Premiership title.

The Buccaneers have taken four wins and a draw from their opening five league matches, giving Ouaddou no reason to complain about the way the campaign has begun.

Pirates returned to domestic league action just days after brushing aside Sekhukhune United in the semi-finals of the MTN8. Despite the demands of competing on multiple fronts, Ouaddou was pleased with the manner in which his players have maintained their momentum.

“I think we are cruising well, it’s only the beginning of the season, the boys are doing well, we’re following the momentum, tempo, lot of important game are coming and a big test is coming during the MTN8, it will be really a good game,” the coach told SuperSport TV.

The coach said the upcoming MTN8 test would attract significant attention from supporters of South African football, while also making clear that his squad would be given time to recover.

“We’re expecting a lot of South African level of football to come watch that game, it will be the first test, now we’re going to rest the boys.

“We have the Champions League to focus and games that are very important for us, it’s one of the most important targets of the season knowing that last season we completely failed this competition, this season it’s really a big target for us.

Ouaddou’s comments came after a match in which Orlando Pirates were particularly clinical in front of goal. The team did not create a large number of opportunities, but made the most of the chances that came their way.

Boitumelo Radiopane scored the second goal of the night before being replaced by Yanela Mbuthuma. The substitute made a decisive impact after coming on, scoring twice in the second half.

The performance pleased Ouaddou, who believes the goals will provide important encouragement for the players involved as the season develops.

“You know, there are some games where strangely you have a lot, a lot of opportunities, lot of chance to score and you don’t score. It’s a game that we didn’t have a lot of chances, but we were very efficient and I’m very happy for these boys you know, it will give them trust, confidence. I’m really happy about the goals from them,” Ouaddou said.

Pirates’ immediate focus now turns towards their wider schedule, with the Champions League identified by the coach as one of the club’s most important objectives. Ouaddou acknowledged that the team’s previous campaign in the competition ended in complete failure, but said it would be a major target this season.

The unbeaten league record provides a positive foundation, while the MTN8 remains another significant challenge for a side balancing its title defence with ambitions in cup and continental football.