Orlando Pirates News Today: Ouaddou warns – ‘If they do that again, I will pack my bags’ & transfers

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Orlando Pirates News Today: Ouaddou warns – ‘If they do that again, I will pack my bags’ & transfers

Orlando Pirates news, including coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s blunt warning to his players after their CAF Champions League win, and former Buccaneer Relebohile Mofokeng continuing to dazzle in the Belgian Pro League.

 

Ouaddou issues ultimatum to Orlando Pirates squad

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has drawn a line in the sand with his players after their CAF Champions League first preliminary round second-leg victory over La Cure Waves on Saturday — cut out the showboating or face the consequences.

Oswin Appollis
Oswin Appollis of Orlando Pirates in CAF Champions League

Pirates completed a 3-1 aggregate win against the Mauritian champions to advance to the second preliminary round, but Ouaddou was far from satisfied. He was pleased with the team’s character after conceding an early goal, and praised the way his side applied the tactical patterns worked on in training — but his mood darkened considerably after the break.

Despite holding a commanding lead, the Buccaneers dropped their intensity in the second half, and Ouaddou had no hesitation in pinning the blame on a shift in focus. He said his team could have added three or four more goals had they remained serious.

“I repeat again, the rhythm dropped when we stopped being serious and started showboating,” said Ouaddou.

“Football is scoring goals. You want to put goals, six or seven, ok I will allow it [showboating] and I will sit. If you see me sitting on the seat, it means that I don’t agree but I let them showboating.

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. Image: Orlando Pirates

“When you put seven goals, no problem. But they have to understand that the top level, the best footballers it’s scoring goals. It’s the expectation, it’s the mandate.”

Ouaddou added: “My job as a coach is to improve players, is for them to give the best, to win games with a winning mentality. The moment that I will accept showboating, I will leave the results, I will leave everything, and I will pack my luggage and I will stop training.”

Mofokeng stars for Royal Union in Belgium

Relebohile Mofokeng celebrates his goal for Union Saint-Gilloise.
Relebohile Mofokeng celebrates his goal for Union Saint-Gilloise. Image: Union Saint-Gilloise

While Ouaddou demands more from his current squad, a player who called the Buccaneers home not so long ago is showing exactly the kind of clinical edge his former coach craves.

Relebohile Mofokeng netted his third goal in his second start in the Belgian Pro League as Royale Union Saint Gilloise thrashed SK Lommel 5-0 on Saturday evening.

The South African talent had already scored on his debut in the league coming off the bench in the 5-1 win over Westerlo, and earlier this month netted in the 3-0 win over St Truiden.

His form is helping RUSG fly at the top of the Belgian top flight. With five wins and one draw to start the new season, they sit at the summit of the Belgian Pro League, one point ahead of Gent — who have won five from their opening five games and have a game in hand.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a sports journalist covering South Africa, with 16 years in sports media and a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. Focused on football analysis and responsible gambling, his work has appeared on GOAL and Pulse Sports Kenya, and he is a regular football analyst on TV and radio.

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