Orlando Pirates coach Abdelsam Ouaddou has jokingly stated that his MTN8 title victory hasn’t changed his status with some people, who still see him as just a “plumber” or “carpenter.”
Ouaddou, who was appointed during the offseason to replace the popular Jose Riveiro, secured his first trophy in the PSL as the Pirates successfully defended their MTN8 title. They defeated Stellenbosch 3-0 in extra time at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
This win marked the fourth consecutive MTN8 trophy for Pirates, bringing them one title shy of Kaizer Chiefs’ record of 15 wins.
Ouaddou’s appointment was initially met with skepticism by some fans, who questioned whether he could live up to Riveiro’s achievements. Riveiro, who was appointed in June 2022, won five trophies and guided the team to the CAF Champions League semi-finals last season before his departure in May.
“This doesn’t mean I’m a better coach than I was two months ago,” Ouaddou said at the post-match press conference. “I think maybe I’m still a plumber or carpenter for many people.”
The term “plumber” is a South African slang term for a coach who hasn’t achieved much in their career. Riveiro was also labeled this when he first arrived due to his less-than-impressive coaching resume.
Ouaddou concluded by showing respect for his opponent. “I don’t think of myself as better than Steve Barker. I have big, big respect for him; he is a very good coach,” he said.
“He has a very interesting team at Stellenbosch. It is a club that is very stable, very professional for a long time, and we are happy to win that trophy.”
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