‘We have to stay humble’ – Ouaddou urges caution after Pirates go top 

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou admits staying at the top of the PSL table is the hardest now after taking the league leadership.

Pirates moved three points ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns following a 2-0 win over Durban City on Saturday, thanks to goals from Evidence Makgopa and Patrick Maswanganyi at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Ouaddou’s team now have 28 points from 12 games with Sundowns on 25 from as many matches while Sekhukhune United and Kaizer Chiefs are both on 22 points.

It is a place Pirates were last in the early parts of last season but they have been in great form this time with this being their ninth win in their last 10 league games but the Moroccan coach is not getting carried away.

Pirates coach keen to remain grounded

“I think any coach who is training such a big club, when he comes to such big club, it’s his target [to stay at the top],” said Ouaddou.

“So, of course, it was our target, not only mine, but it’s a collective work. I’m not working alone, it’s the objective. But now, like I said before, it’s a good thing to reach, at this time of the season, that position.

“But the most difficult thing is to stay in that position. And to stay in that position, we have to keep working to stay humble because there are a lot of very good sides, very good teams in this PSL. The level is very high.”

Ouaddou wants his charges to keep focus

Ouaddou is therefore urging for caution and levelheadedness from his players if they want to maintain their place at the top of the table and win the PSL title for the first time since 2012.

“And if you are not focused, if you stop working, if you think that you already win the title, it can be very difficult,” he added.

“So, I press my players to keep focused, to keep working, because this PSL is a very high level. It’s one of the best in Africa. Let’s say the best in Africa.”