From turbulence to triumph: Pirates find their footing

The Sea Robbers’ ship had a rocky beginning to their voyage into the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season, and while the harsh waves and winds continue to pound against them, the Buccaneers’ vessel is showing signs of sailing steadily through the storm.

Orlando Pirates marched to their second league win of the season after edging a stubborn Orbit College side 1-0 at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Lebone Seema’s pile-driver from well outside the 18-yard box handed his side the much-needed result, securing three valuable points as the Soweto giants continue to recover from a difficult start to their campaign.

With six points from their opening four matches, the Buccaneers are still a work in progress. Their recovery may not have been convincing, with narrow victories hinting at much room for improvement, but what has mattered most is that they are finding ways to get the job done.

For new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, pressure is part of the package. Expectations are sky-high, and while questions remain, the Moroccan tactician has shown resilience. Despite the early turbulence, his shoulders appear broad enough to carry the weight of the job. With an MTN8 final qualification and back-to-back league wins, here we will look at the three key talking points from his tenure so far.

Never shy to make big calls

One of Ouaddou’s standout traits in these early weeks has been his decisiveness and the ability to hit the reset button. The measure of character often comes when the chips are down, and the curveballs of this campaign have tested his ability to make bold choices and to take accountability.

Starting the season without a number of regulars already raised questions of his squad management, and his decision to substitute Patrick Maswanganyi in just the 39th minute against Mamelodi Sundowns was a clear example of his willingness to act quickly, even if it raises eyebrows. While still very much a work in progress, his handling of such moments has hinted at a coach unafraid of accountability.

Rotation requires performance

Another hallmark of his approach so far has been rotation. Ouaddou has made it clear that everyone in the squad will get opportunities, but with that comes responsibility.

Pirates invested heavily in the transfer window to build depth, and while there isn’t a settled starting eleven just yet, there have been positive glimpses from both old and new players fighting for their places. 

Importantly, Ouaddou has managed to extract valuable contributions from his bench—particularly in the clash against Sundowns—underlining the importance of squad depth in a season where his side will compete on multiple fronts.

Trust in the youth

Perhaps one of the most exciting developments under his watch has been the backing of young talent despite the pressure that comes with it. The injury to Captain Nkosinathi Sibisi could easily have been a disaster, but instead it opened the door for fresh faces.

With the experienced Tapelo Xoki waiting on the wings, Seema was thrown into the deep end, and he has displayed remarkable maturity and calmness in defense, showing little sign of inexperience.

Alongside him, Mbekezeli Mbokazi has continued his impressive run of performances, with his latest display as captain serving as yet another reminder of his growing influence at just 19 years of age. Already being spoken of as a future Bafana Bafana leader, he thrives under pressure and continues to grow with every outing in a Pirates jersey.