Abdeslam Ouaddou: ‘I’m still a plumber or carpenter’ after MTN8 triumph

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou isn’t letting a trophy get to his head. After his team’s commanding 3-0 extra-time victory over Stellenbosch in the MTN8 final, the Moroccan manager downplayed his tactical genius, stating the win doesn’t make him “any better or less of a coach” than he was just two months ago.

This sentiment comes after a storm of criticism. Following two consecutive league losses, a vocal section of the Pirates fanbase questioned Ouaddou’s ability to fill the shoes of his decorated predecessor, Jose Riveiro. The Spaniard had an impressive resume, including three straight MTN8 titles, two Nedbank Cups, and a deep run in last season’s CAF Champions League.

But Ouaddou and his technical team proved their mettle by first defeating rivals Sundowns in the semi-final and then securing an unprecedented fourth consecutive MTN8 title for the club.

The win against Stellenbosch—a rematch of the 2024 final—was a masterclass in in-game management. With the score locked at 0-0 after 90 minutes, Ouaddou made crucial substitutions that swung the game.

ABDESLAM OUADDOU BRUSHES OFF CRITICS

“We had to go to extra time, and we completely changed the plan quickly with my staff,” Ouaddou explained. “We brought in some pace on the sides who were able to make the difference and bring crosses.”

The game-changing moves involved bringing on Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, and Tshegofatso Mabasa. The trio provided the fresh energy and tactical precision needed to unlock Stellenbosch’s defence, with all three contributing to the goals in extra time.

“We brought in Mabasa, we know him as a player in the box,” Ouaddou said. “He’s not someone to make all the pressing like [Zakhele] Lepasa. He’s a kind of player that needs to be served by good players. So we decided to bring in Moremi and Appollis, and it worked.”

Despite the tactical success, Ouaddou remains grounded. “It doesn’t mean I am a better coach than two months ago,” he said. “I think maybe I’m still a plumber or carpenter for many people. I don’t think myself better than [Stellenbosch coach] Steve Barker. I have huge respect for the coach and a very interesting team in Stellenbosch.”

With the MTN8 trophy now in the cabinet, Pirates will shift focus to the CAF Champions League, where they will face Lioli FC of Lesotho in the preliminary round. The first leg is scheduled to take place at the Toyota Stadium in Free State.

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