Has Ouaddou changed tune on showboating? Pirates veteran shares secret pact 

Orlando Pirates midfielder Makhehlene Makhaula has revealed that head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is not entirely against showboating.

Ouaddou made headlines last month when he slammed his players for not taking the game seriously and opting for tricks and flicks when they should be scoring more goals.

This came during the club’s CAF Champions League first preliminary round clash against La Cure Waves of Mauritius, when the Buccaneers took a 3-0 lead in the first half, but decided to entertain rather than add more goals in the second 45 minutes.

Showboating conditions at Pirates

So angry was the Moroccan coach that he even threatened to quit if his players did not stop it but according to Makhaula, showboating is still allowed at Pirates but under certain conditions.

“No, no, for me, I don’t think it’s criticism or anything,” the veteran midfielder told journalists as quoted by KickOff.

“The coach is always saying to us, you can do whatever you want, but as long as the score is 4-0 and as long as whatever you’re doing, you eliminate the player.

Ouaddou’s stance has divided opinion

“So, I think it’s not the criticism. The coach only wants the result and after the result, if it’s 4 or 3-0, then you can do whatever you want with the ball.”

Ouaddou’s sentiments drew mixed reactions with some supporting him while others were critical of him for not recognising and respecting the culture of South African football.

Showboating is a topic that still divides opinion in Mzansi where some feel it should not be witnessed at professional level while its proponents do not see anything wrong with it if it helps a player eliminate an opponent.