Ouaddou Claims African Discrimination Played Part in Pressure

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has spoken out about the immense pressure he has been under, suggesting it had a discriminatory element, before expressing his sheer delight after his side reached the MTN8 final. 

Ouaddou’s reaction was one of pure joy and relief after the team’s 4-1 penalty shootout victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.

The win comes after a challenging period for the coach, who endured back-to-back league losses. However, the team's fortunes have changed, with a vital 1-0 league win over Stellenbosch followed by the hard-fought semi-final victory. 

Ouaddou was visibly emotional on the sidelines after the win, embracing his staff and players in a moment of shared celebration. This victory not only secures a spot in the final but also keeps the Pirates' hopes alive for a fourth consecutive MTN8 title.

‘I’M DOING THIS JOB WITH PASSION’

“To criticise people, it means you’re doing a public job, you have done it for many years, I’ve been in football four 30 years, when you go to the cinema and you don’t like the movie or you go to the theatre and you don’t like what they suggest to you, you paid for the ticket so you can criticise,” he said.

“So when my fans aren’t happy, at a big club, when you’re not winning, I understand them – what can I do? The only thing you can do is work, be silent, and to give everything and to be patient… I’m doing this job with passion, I love my players, my staff. 

“I came alone here, I could have come with six people, a team in Europe, but I believe in African competencies, the grass is not greener elsewhere, if you profile people in South Africa, their is competencies – I don’t need to bring people here. This victory is not only the players, or mine – it’s the staff, the club and management.

“The problem in the mind of people, when you have black skin, straight away we don’t give these people time [to work], I just ask give me time – I know my competences, I’m African proud,” Ouaddou said.

“It’s why I kissed my brothers [in my technical team at full-time] because they did a good job, so if I have time, maybe I can help the club, if I don’t, I will be sacked and I go as well, it’s football, it’s life, but I love my job.”