Ouaddou opens up about Pirates’ game-plan that killed Arrows & subs’ impact

Orlando Pirates cruised past Golden Arrows on Wednesday night in the Premier Soccer League outing staged at King Zwelithini Stadium.

Nkosikhona Ndaba's effort was deflected into the net before Yanela Mbuthuma scored a late brace to give the Buccaneers a 3-1 win. The hosts managed to get what turned out to be a mere consolation from Khumalo Thokozani.

The win took Bucs past Kaizer Chiefs and into the second position with 22 points, the same as the Glamour Boys, who have an inferior goal difference, and three less than leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. 

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was full of praise owing to his team's performance against Arrows. 

☠️ FT | @goldenarrowsfc1 1 – 3 @orlandopirates

🥅 (OG) Jiyane 23', Mbuthuma 74', 87'

⚫⚪🔴⭐#MatchDay#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/eKorMwFbnw

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) November 5, 2025

The target was to prevent Arrows from playing

“I think I have to really congratulate the boys, they started the game exactly the way we wanted to start it. Meaning, that we need to play high with high intensity, some nice football, we tried to beat this back-four, but at the same time to create some numerical superiority in the central corridor,” he told the media.

“It worked and we scored early, but at the same time it was very important for me not to let this team play because they have a fantastic coach, let’s see it, good team, and it’s a team if you let them play, they can cause you trouble.

So, the target was not to let them play, and I think it’s tough for us, we keep the dynamic at the same time, we give the opportunity to all the boys to show what they do on the pitch so it’s fantastic, I’m very happy,” the former Morocco international added.

No subs at Pirates

Yanela Mbuthuma came off the bench to score with Relebohile Mofokeng, who has been out of action owing to injury, also providing an assist after his introduction alongside Patrick Maswanganyi. Coach Ouaddou insists every player is important at the club.

“It’s the team spirit we want in Orlando Pirates; everybody is important. I always say there’s no substitute, there are only players and impact players and we continue like that, we hope to keep this dynamic, team spirit until the end of the season.

“I can tell you that if we keep this team spirit, if we keep this end to go forward to score goals and to be strong to keep the self-development, I think we can have some good ambitions,” Ouaddou concluded.