Ouaddou explains Pirates team selection amidst growing criticism

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has addressed the growing criticism regarding his team selections, explaining his decisions after a disappointing start to the new season.

The Buccaneers have suffered back-to-back Betway Premiership defeats, losing 2-0 to Sekhukhune United on Saturday and 2-1 to Marumo Gallants on Tuesday.

Ouaddou, the French-Moroccan coach, has been criticised for making what many see as a radical shift in the team lineup. He has often fielded new acquisitions over players who were regulars during the successful tenure of his predecessor, José Riveiro.

Several key players from the previous season, including Thalente Mbatha, Makhehlene Makhaula, Deano van Rooyen, and Tshegofatso Mabasa, have yet to play a single game under his leadership.

Speaking after the loss to Gallants, Ouaddou clarified that his selection choices were strategic, designed to rest key players for the upcoming MTN8 semi-final first leg against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.

“I think we have so many players and we decided this line-up because we have many games as well,” said Ouaddou. “When you make such a decision, you have to understand that we are playing in the MTN8 against a very strong team. We have to make some choices like we did. If we had won, the choice would have been good, but now that we have lost, of course, people will say the choice was not good. But it’s football, it’s like that. We make some choices, that’s it.”

Ouaddou also acknowledged the frustration of the Pirates faithful. “When you come to a big institution like this, where people are playing for titles, where people are playing for cup competitions, of course, there is a lot of expectation,” he said. “You can understand the fans, it is normal, and we understand them. When a club loses two games in a row like that, it is normal that they are not happy. We are not happy as well to lose.”