Ouaddou Highlights Areas to Improve After Orlando Pirates’ First Win

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was all smiles after his side secured their first win of the 2025 Betway Premiership season, defeating Stellenbosch FC 1-0 at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night. The victory, courtesy of Kamogelo Sebelebele’s stunning first-half strike, was a significant morale booster for the Buccaneers, who had been searching for this crucial three points.

Proud Moment for Orlando Pirates Fans

Following the match, Ouaddou shared his joy with SuperSport, acknowledging the importance of the win for the fans who had been eagerly waiting for their team to find form. “Of course, delighted, delighted for the fans because I have a thought for them because they were waiting for these three points since now two-three weeks,” he said.

The French-Algerian coach also took the opportunity to praise his players for their character and resilience. Despite dominating the first half, Ouaddou believes his team could have sealed the game earlier. “We had a very interesting first half, we created top chances, we could have killed the game earlier,” he remarked.

Control Is Key to Future Success

However, Ouaddou was quick to point out areas where the team still needs improvement. One of the key points he highlighted was the loss of control in the second half. The Buccaneers, who had looked dominant in the first 45 minutes, struggled to maintain their grip on the match after the break.

“In the second half, I think that we lost the control and I think we have to improve that if we want to go higher. We cannot accept that to lose control in a game that we controlled since the beginning,” Ouaddou explained.

This loss of control, according to Ouaddou, is a critical aspect that needs to be addressed if the Pirates are to compete at the highest level in the league. His desire to see a more balanced and controlled approach was evident as he discussed the need for his players to understand the tactical nuances of modern football.

Positional Play and Game Diversification

For Ouaddou, tactical discipline and positional play are central to his coaching philosophy. He aims to see more structured and varied offensive strategies, with an emphasis on exploiting spaces between the lines.

“I’m looking for positional game, I’m looking for space between the lines, but modern football has to balance the opponent,” he explained. “Sometimes you need to identify the free space and they did it well. We have to diversify our style of play not only that, but it was interesting today.”

This balance is essential for the Pirates to break down their opponents and manage the game more effectively, particularly when they take the lead. Ouaddou’s approach calls for a team that can adapt to different scenarios, ensuring they maintain dominance throughout the match, not just in the opening stages.

Looking Ahead: Improvement Is Necessary

While the win is a crucial step in the right direction, Ouaddou’s critique of the second-half performance suggests that Orlando Pirates still have a long way to go in terms of consistency. The fans will be hoping that the coach’s assessment and the team’s continued development will help them maintain control and build on this win.

For now, Pirates fans can relish the three points, but they also know that the road to the top of the Betway Premiership is a marathon, not a sprint.

Check also: Sebelebele Fires Orlando Pirates to Much-Needed Premiership Win

Orlando Pirates’ first win in the Betway Premiership under Ouaddou is a positive sign, but there’s clear room for growth. Maintaining control and improving tactical play will be essential if they are to challenge for the league title this season.

What do you think of the Pirates’ performance under Ouaddou? Can they continue to build on this victory? Share your thoughts in the comments below!