Orlando Pirates News Today: ‘Shabalala is future!’ Bucs told, Ouaddou was misinterpreted, & more

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Orlando Pirates News Today: ‘Shabalala is future!’ Bucs told, Ouaddou was misinterpreted, & more

The latest Orlando Pirates news in the last 24 hours including, Nkosinathi Sibisi defending Abdeslam Ouaddou, Jomo Sono lauds Kaizer Chiefs star Mduduzi Shabalala, and more.

Pirates latest news as they break

Ouaddou was misinterpreted

Orlando Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi has defended head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou following his stern post-match critique, insisting the mentor’s demanding standards were misinterpreted by the public.

In what appeared to be a show of frustration following Pirates’ 3-0 win over Milford FC in the Carling Knockout Cup on Tuesday, Ouaddou demanded that his players do better.

During his post-match media briefing, the Moroccan tactician warned his side to be more ruthless in taking scoring opportunities.

“I cannot be satisfied to go home with three goals while we had 24 chances. What are we doing in the box? Are we here to joke? No, we are here to score goals,” Ouaddou said. “We are here to show everybody that Pirates is the best team, and we are here to impress people and to send a big message. We are here for that, but you cannot come here and chill and kick outside and be selfish.”

However, speaking ahead of Saturday’s much-anticipated Soweto Derby against arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium, Sibisi insists the squad took Ouaddou’s stern reaction in a positive light.

“Look, I think the coach has been misinterpreted, if I can say, you know, because he demands excellence; good is not enough,” Sibisi said in a presser.

“For a club like Pirates, excellence always has to prevail, you know, and I think for the boys, they’re taking it in a positive manner. You know, there’s no one sulking about it. We know we should have scored more goals. That we know ourselves, you know.

Nkosinathi Sibisi
Nkosinathi Sibisi of Orlando Pirates in MTN8 final, Image: Pirates

“I think it speaks to the character of the coach to say we shouldn’t be satisfied as a club, you know. Why be satisfied to score three when you can score eight? You know, that should be the mentality. And I think the boys are taking it in a positive manner.

“Yeah, look, I think we have a young squad, you know, we have a young squad. So, sometimes they want to express themselves, you know. They can’t express themselves when the game is 0-0, or 1-1, you know, 2-0. So, the coach tries to emphasise: ‘Score a lot of goals,’ you know, ‘and then you can express yourself as best as possible,’ because people want to see a show, you know.

“So, yeah, I think we try to find a balance: we have to deliver, the coach wants us to deliver, score your goals, and then you can enjoy after,” he concluded.

Sono lauds Shabalala

Legendary former Orlando Pirates fan-favourite Jomo Sono cannot stop singing the praises of Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala, ahead of the biggest fixture on the local football calendar.

Shabalala is arguably the most polarising yet technically gifted young playmaker in the South African game today. Wearing the iconic number 7 jersey for Chiefs, he operates under a microscope that few players his age could survive.

“What I like about Shabalala is that at least he creates chances. I would rather have a Shabalala who creates chances than a player who runs around the pitch for 90 minutes doing nothing, [running all over the pitch with no productivity],” Sono, told Kick Off.

“There are such players in football, and they sweat more than any other player on the pitch. Their shirt is always dripping wet.

Mduduzi Shabalala of Kaizer Chiefs playing against Red Arrows.
Mduduzi Shabalala of Kaizer Chiefs playing against Red Arrows. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

“Chiefs youngsters have come out on board, especially his teammate Mfundo Vilakazi – he is a hell of a good player. There is also Wandile Duba; he is also a problem that one. But Shabalala, he is the future that boy. The only thing missing in his game is luck. You need luck in football to do it perfectly,” he added.

Ouaddou wary of Chiefs threat

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why Saturday’s Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs could present a different challenge, with a familiar face now part of the Amakhosi technical team.

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Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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