‘Come on the bench’ - Ouaddou fires back at critical Pirates legends

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has responded to former players who have criticised him for his strong stance against showboating.

Ouaddou hit out at his players over a week ago when they started playing tricks and flicks during their CAF Champions League match at home to La Cure Waves, saying he could not allow it as they failed to score more goals and focused on entertainment.

The Pirates coach even claimed he was ready to quit if his players did not listen to him and continued that style.

However, a section of former players went hard on the Moroccan coach, criticising him for not respecting the culture of South African football, something the former Atlas Lions defender is not impressed with.

Ouaddou hits back at Pirates legends

Abdeslam Ouaddou wants to see if Pirates legend who criticise him can manage on the sidelines. 👀 ☠️ pic.twitter.com/U2iBuGOgy8
— SoccerBeat (@SoccerBeatZA) September 20, 2026

“When we lose one or two games, they [legends] are the first ones to come to the media to say the coach must be fired. It is not good, they have to help us,” Ouaddou told the media after his team beat Marumo Gallants 2-0 on Sunday.

“I am here to save the football in South Africa, to win titles and I do not think that I am speaking bad about South African football.

Kabelo Kgotsitsile celebrates his goal with Orlando Pirates teammates. Image: Orlando Pirates

“I respect the culture, the country, and I am very happy to be in the country. I bring my family here, my wife lives here, my children study here so we do not have to let these people kill the ambition and passion of the coach.”

Ex-players invited to come and coach

Ouaddou went ahead to extend an invitation to the former players to come and conduct some training with the team so that he can see if they have what it takes to coach.

Orlando Pirates players celebrate a goal. Image: Orlando Pirates

“Coaches who come here love the country. It is easy to speak. They can come, I am happy to bring these legends. I am happy to give them one week of training, I am happy to see what they are going to do,” he added.

“I will give them the track suit…come on the bench and we are going to see if it is easy for them. They cannot speak like that.”