Orlando Pirates’ Poor Start Explained: Journalist Blames Constant Changes for Woeful Form

• Orlando Pirates have lost their opening two Betway Premiership games under Abdeslam Ouaddou, giving away six points
• Pirates face huge pressure ahead of Saturday’s MTN8 semifinal against Mamelodi Sundowns to stop the slump
• Briefly News had an exclusive interview with analyst Mandla Biyela who criticised Ouaddou’s constant lineup changes, citing lack of cohesion and poor finishing as key problems

Orlando Pirates’ rocky start to the Betway Premiership has set alarm bells ringing among the Buccaneers faithful.

Two games into the season, and Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men have nothing to show but back-to-back defeats, the latest a shock 2-1 loss to Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein.

Briefly News caught up with football analyst Mandla Biyela to unpack what’s gone wrong for the Soweto giants, and how they can turn the tide before Saturday’s MTN8 semifinal clash against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Biyela on Pirates’ opening games:

"You can’t drop six points in your first two matches and pretend everything is fine. The issue isn’t just the results, it’s the manner of the defeats. Pirates are disjointed, and that comes down to too much chopping and changing in the starting XI. Football thrives on rhythm, but Ouaddou’s constant rotations have killed that flow."

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On Ouaddou’s team selections:

"Leaving out last season’s regulars like Tshegofatso Mabasa, Thalente Mbatha, and captain Nkosinathi Sibisi is baffling. These are players who know the club, the system, and the pressure. Throwing in youngsters like Lebone Seema and Mbekezeli Mbokazi together in central defence is risky, especially without senior leadership on the pitch."

On tactical issues:

"Pirates are creating chances but they’re not clinical, and their final ball is poor. Against Gallants, they dominated the early stages but once Gallants equalised, Pirates didn’t have a plan B. The pressing intensity dropped, and transitions were too slow. When your opponent sees less of the ball but still finds a late winner, that’s a structural problem."

On Gallants’ game plan exposing Pirates:

"Gallants sat deep, absorbed the pressure, and waited for the break. That’s how Clifford scored the winner, they targeted Pirates’ defensive naivety and made it count. If Pirates don’t fix that before facing Sundowns, they’ll be punished even harder."

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On the road ahead:

"Saturday is massive. The MTN8 is a trophy that can buy Ouaddou some breathing space. But if Pirates lose to Sundowns, the pressure from fans will be unbearable. He needs to stick with a core starting XI, bring back leaders like Sibisi, and stop overcomplicating things. This is a squad that should be competing, not scrambling."

Biyela’s warning to Pirates fans:

"It’s early in the season, yes, but habits form quickly in football. If they normalise losing now, it becomes a mental block later. Ouaddou must settle his side, and do it now."

How Mohau Nkota’s Saudi move may have shaken Relebohile Mofokeng’s confidence

Briefly News previously reported that rising Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng has struggled to hit top gear in the early stages of the 2025/26 season, and according to an English football analyst, the reason could be more psychological than tactical. The 20-year-old, who burst onto the scene in the 2022/23 campaign, has been a central figure for the Buccaneers over the past two seasons.

Source: Briefly News