Ouaddou threatens to leave Orlando Pirates over players’ showboating

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has warned he could quit the club if his players continue to prioritise showboating over scoring goals.

Ouaddou was frustrated despite Pirates’ 3-1 victory over La Cure Waves in the second leg of their CAF Champions League preliminary-round tie at Orlando Amstel Arena.

With the hosts comfortably ahead, Pirates players began performing tricks and playing to the crowd. Their display delighted the supporters but angered Ouaddou, who felt the team failed to make the most of its dominance.

The coach said Pirates needed to be more direct and ruthless, particularly when the opposition was vulnerable.

“The rhythm of our game dropped when we stopped being serious and started showboating, and we have to understand that if we want to be ambitious and win the CAF Champions League, then we need to realise that football is about going forward, creating chances and scoring goals,” Ouaddou said after the match.

“We have the ambition to win the Champions League, but if we want to do that then we have to stop this because it doesn’t help the team and it serves nobody except the player’s ego.

“All I want as a coach is goals, goals, goals, nothing else.”

Ouaddou argued that Pirates’ failure to add to their advantage reflected a lack of ambition from the reigning Betway Premiership champions.

He said the team’s approach could not be accepted if it wanted to compete for the CAF Champions League title, and issued a strong warning to his squad.

“If they want to continue with this then they must continue without me. I will never accept the showboating!”