Orlando Pirates News Today: Zwane praises ‘miracle worker’ Ouaddou, Appollis credited for PSL title & more

Latest news about Orlando Pirates, including high praise for Abdeslam Ouaddou for working miracles with the PSL title win and why Andre de Jong thinks Oswin Appollis deserves more credit.

Zwane lauds Ouaddou for performing miracles

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Mandla Zwane has showered praise on coach Abdeslam Ouaddou for doing what he terms to be a ‘miracle’ by winning the PSL title in his first season at the club, something that many had expected that soon.

“Look, for what he has achieved, I mean, no one has achieved what he achieved in the first season at the club. Even the great Ruud Krool, he achieved that in his third season with Pirates and then other people took over,” he told Soccer Laduma.

“I’m talking about Professor Augusto Palacios and Tebogo Moloi. They achieved the table as well in their second season. However, now coach Ouaddou just came in and then did the miracle in his first season. Nobody predicted that Pirates would go pound for pound against Mamelodi Sundowns.”

De Jong credits Appollis for PSL title win

Orlando Pirates midfielder Andre de Jong feels Oswin Appollis’ performances were key to the Buccaneers ending their 14-year PSL title drought.

Appollis scored 12 goals, nine in the league, and added nine assists in the just ended season, a great debut campaign with the Soweto giants after leaving Polokwane City, and is among those touted for the Player of the Year award.

“I think some of the goals he scored were from outside the box this season, I think the big thing about him is his backlift is minimal,” said De Jong on Extra Time on SuperSport as quoted by Daily Sports.

“I think he can obviously strike a ball from basically a standing start as well.

“But yeah, his contribution to the team has been incredible. I think also in some big moments where he’s almost taken the team upon himself, taken it a bit between his teeth and turned the games for us.”