Ouaddou explains why Orlando Pirates’ new signings were left out of starting XI

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says lessons from last season influenced his decision to introduce the club’s new signings gradually after four of them made their official debuts as substitutes in the 2-0 win over Milford.

Pirates signed nine players before the new season, but none of the four debutants started their opening match. Instead, they were brought on in the second half as the Betway Premiership side sought to protect their advantage and finish the game strongly.

Ouaddou said he had been determined to avoid repeating last season’s difficult start, when he made wholesale changes to the team after replacing Jose Riveiro.

Pirates lost their opening two matches during that campaign, increasing the pressure on Ouaddou almost immediately. The coach believes a more stable starting line-up this time around will allow the new arrivals to settle into the squad without being rushed into action.

“The new players, you know, even for me, I take lessons; it’s never late to learn. Last season, you can say that I wanted to be in a rush to put new players in the starting XI, and this season I started with more stability in the XI,” he said.

The four new players were introduced after half-time against Milford, with Ouaddou indicating that their impact was intended to help Pirates manage the later stages of the match.

“The new players, we will bring them in after – so I think they bring something, you have seen that in the second half, they bring more energy, more control in the game.

“I think it’s good new for us, for Orlando Pirates, to know these players can help us. But I’m sure in the season, we will see them more and more.”

The coach’s approach means Pirates’ new signings are expected to be integrated progressively rather than all being placed in the starting line-up at once. Their second-half appearances against Milford gave them their first competitive involvement for the club, while also allowing the established starting XI to provide the initial stability Ouaddou wanted.

The opening victory gives Pirates a positive platform as they move on to their next assignment in the MTN8. They will begin their bid to defend the trophy for a fifth successive season against Durban City on 8 August.

That match will be played at the Orlando Amstel Arena, where attention will turn to whether any of the new signings are handed a starting role or continue to be introduced from the bench. For now, Ouaddou’s comments make clear that the decision to hold them back against Milford was deliberate and based on experience from the previous campaign.