Abdeslam Ouaddou is standing as a shield for his Orlando Pirates players after their 6-0 thumping of TS Galaxy. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has come out strongly in defence of his players, urging supporters to direct criticism at him instead, as the Betway Premiership title race intensifies.
Pirates sent a resounding statement with a ruthless 6-0 demolition of TS Galaxy, a result that saw them reclaim top spot on the Betway Premiership standings — one ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns, who have a game in hand. It was a performance that reflected both attacking fluency and growing belief.
Relebohile Mofokeng (21-year old) led the charge with a hat-trick, while Tshepang Moremi and Kamogelo Sebelebele also found the net, alongside an own goal by Mlungisi Mbunjana.
From the first whistle, Pirates were in complete control — dictating tempo, creating chances and ensuring there were no anxious moments for the travelling supporters. Yet, despite the emphatic nature of the victory, Ouaddou used the moment to address a growing concern — the treatment of his players by sections of the fanbase in recent weeks.
“When you see players performing with a lot of trust and confidence, it’s because of the support, they’re not afraid to make mistakes.”
The coach made it clear that the environment around the team plays a critical role in performance levels, particularly for a squad that blends youth with experience.
“Sometimes the guys are not in the right environment to be able to perform because they’re scared, today they felt fantastic support from our fans,” he expressed. “And if somebody wants to criticise, then please criticise the coach because I’m ready for that but not our boys, some of them are young and they’re playing for a big club, they don’t need this kind of pressure.”
Ouaddou’s comments underline a protective stance over a group he believes is still growing, even as they challenge for top honours.
The result against Galaxy not only strengthened Pirates’ position in the title race, but also showcased the potential within a squad that thrives on confidence and attacking freedom.
“Just to motivate all of my players with individual targets, targets to improve themselves alongside the collective because we have to fix ourselves everyday and achieve those target everyday and the target for us is to win the league and make our fans happy.”
As the season edges towards its decisive stretch, Pirates appear to be building momentum at the right time. And if performances like this are anything to go by, Ouaddou’s message is clear — back the players, trust the process, and the results will follow.
With the title race tightening and pressure mounting from all angles, the unity between the team and its supporters could yet prove decisive in determining where the Betway Premiership crown ultimately lands.