Pirates coach vows to back South Africa’s emerging talent

Following Orlando Pirates’ hard-fought 1-1 draw against rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has doubled down on his commitment to youth development.

The packed clash at Loftus Versfeld—a sold-out affair with 43,000 tickets purchased—saw the Buccaneers fight back from a deficit after Sundowns’ evergreen striker Peter Shalulile netted in the 20th minute.

The equaliser came from an unexpected source: 20-year-old Camren Dansin. The surprise starter, making only his fifth appearance for the senior side since his May 2025 promotion from the DStv Diski Challenge, fired a spectacular goal from outside the 18-yard area just before halftime, marking his first strike in Pirates colours.

A Bold Defence of Pirates Coach’s Strategy

Speaking to SuperSport TV after the intense stalemate, Coach Ouaddou stood firm on his decision to throw the young captain of the reserve side into the deep end against the formidable ‘Bafana Ba Style.’

The coach acknowledged the risk, stating, “Look, it’s difficult for a coach to start a youngster in a game of such magnitude. If we had lost this game, everyone would tell you that the coach put a player without experience on the field.”

However, Ouaddou, who spent years working in development, insists that providing opportunities for South Africa’s emerging talent is not just a preference, but a fundamental part of his long-term plan for the club.

“As a coach, I have worked in development for about five or six years. You have to give these South African youth a chance and an opportunity to shine, and that’s what we did today in a very important game,” he asserted.

Dansin’s dream goal, which snatched a crucial point for the Buccaneers, served as powerful validation for the coach’s philosophy. Ouaddou finished with a definitive promise that confirms his direction for the team: “It’s what I’m going to do moving forward: give opportunities to the youth. Especially South African youth; we really need to give them a chance.”

Pirates’ attention now shifts to their upcoming league match against Manqoba Mngqithi’s Golden Arrows side on Wednesday, 5 November, where it remains to be seen if Ouaddou will continue to back the club’s young guns.