Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes that pressure is an essential component of success, and he thrives on the challenge of winning trophies with the Buccaneers.
Since taking over from Jose Riveiro, who had a successful stint with the club, Ouaddou has already made his mark by winning the MTN8 title last month.
Riveiro’s tenure at Pirates was marked by numerous successes, including three MTN8 Cups and two Nedbank Cup titles, as well as a semifinal appearance in the CAF Champions League last season.
However, Ouaddou is undaunted by the pressure to replicate these achievements.
“I think there’s always pressure in all that you’re doing,” he said.
“If you don’t feel that pressure, I think that means you don’t give sense to what you’re doing.”
For Ouaddou, pressure is not something to be feared, but rather something to be harnessed as motivation.
“But this pressure needs to be positive, and for me, if I don’t put myself under pressure, then it means I have to stop coaching,” he emphasized.
“The pressure will always be there, but you have to trust in all means within positive pressure.”
Despite winning the MTN8 title, Ouaddou is still refining his team and believes that he has not yet found his best starting eleven.
“I don’t think I’ve found my best eleven because I’m a coach of a big club, the approach is different, and the structure is different,” he added.
“So, I believe in the group of players, and I don’t believe only in eleven players. We will play games with eleven players, but we win competitions with the group, and I believe in the group.”
The Buccaneers will now shift their focus to the Carling Knockout round of 16 match against Siwelele at Orlando Stadium this Saturday. This is a tournament that eluded Riveiro, who was eliminated in the quarter finals in both 2023 and the round of 16 in 2024.
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