Abdeslam Ouaddou Warns Rivals As Orlando Pirates Push for Betway Premiership Title

• Abdeslam Ouaddou has issued a warning to Orlando Pirates' competitors in the Betway Premiership this season
• The Moroccan tactician has continually shuffled his team every matchday, which has disrupted the plans of so many rival coaches
• The former Fulham midfielder also addressed players who are not yet conversant with his rotation every game

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has sent a warning to other Premier Soccer League sides following their win over Chippa United in the Betway Premiership.

The former Marumo Gallants coach didn’t start his coaching journey with the Sea Robbers in the league on a good note, as they lost their first two matches, but he has since guided the Soweto giants to a record fourth MTN8 title, and they are also favourites to win the Carling Knockout Cup ahead of the final.

The only blemish on Ouaddou’s tenure at Pirates so far is his failure to qualify for the group stage of the CAF Champions League after being knocked out by Saint Eloi Lupopo in the 2023 preliminary phase.

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Ouaddou issues a warning to others

Ouaddou is leading his team with flair, pushing his squad to their limits and rotating players for domestic fixtures, particularly after their early exit from continental competitions in the preliminary rounds.

The Moroccan-born coach seems to have a tactical plan in place, opting to start his key player, Oswin Appollis, on the bench and bringing him on in the second half, where he netted the decisive goal following Evidence Makgopa’s initial strike that had put his team ahead.

Chippa coach Vusumuzi “Kanu” Vilakazi appeared puzzled by Appollis’s omission from the starting eleven, a choice Ouaddou was happy to clarify. He continues to send a warning to his other competitors over trying to guess his starting lineup before games, as they continue to push for the title this season.

He explained that rotation has been an integral part of the team’s approach from the beginning of the season, and players should no longer be surprised by it.

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Ouaddou emphasised that the system is yielding positive results so far and hopes it continues. With matches scheduled every three days, apart from the final three weeks, he stressed the importance of involving the entire squad to keep morale high.

Depending solely on 11 or 15 players could risk lowering motivation, and he underscored that winning a league or tournament is impossible without utilising the full squad.

Among the absentees for Pirates, both on the field and on the bench, was vice-captain Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who watched from the stands amid reports that he had travelled to the United States over the weekend to finalise a R51 million deal with MLS side Chicago Fire.

Riveiro predicts Carling Knocout Cup winner

Briefly News also reported that former Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has predicted the team that would win the Carling Knockout Cup this season.

The competition's final would be between Riveiro's former team, Orlando Pirates, and Marumo Gallants.

Source: Briefly News