Ouaddou quickly making his mark at Orlando Pirates

COMMENT

It’s still early days in his Bucs' career but Orlando Pirates and Abdeslam Ouaddou may just be a match made in heaven when it comes to domestic football.

Ouaddou steered the Sea Robbers’ ship to the Carling Knockout final after beating Richards Bay 1–0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

His predecessor, Jose Riveiro, won five trophies during his three-year reign at the club – three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cups but struggled to crack the code in the Carling Knockout, failing to win it on two attempts.

Given that Ouaddou has already won the MTN8 and reached the Carling Knockout final, that’s already another feather in his cap. It suggests that by the time his contract comes to an end, he may have achieved more success than Riveiro.

Of course, the biggest success Ouaddou could deliver for the club would be winning the Betway Premiership, and ending the club’s 14-year league drought.

But that’s not the only way success is measured. The growth, development, and improvement of players – both as footballers and as human beings – should also be evident when someone who calls himself a leader is in charge.

Such has been Ouaddou’s acumen that there have been flashes of improvement throughout his squad, event when considering the incredible depth at his disposal. Ouaddou has used his squad to the best of his abilities, rotating players – except for goalkeeper Sipho Chaine. That rotation has worked for the team and has kept players who thought they were guaranteed starting berths on their toes.

Sipho Mbule arrived at the club with high expectations despite his off-the-field distractions. It’s safe to say he has lived up to much of that hype, though he still has more to offer.

Perhaps, if it weren’t for Ouaddou’s astute coaching, Mbule wouldn’t be living up to his “MasterChef” moniker and cooking for the club.

Mbule hasn’t had it easy either. Masindi Nemtajela has made sure to stay ahead of him in the pecking order - a competition that could now extend to the national team after the diminutive midfielder recently earned his maiden Bafana Bafana call-up for the friendly against Zambia on Saturday.

While Ouaddou has ensured that players stay sharp, he has also rewarded form. Lebone Seema has been one of the breakthrough stars since joining the club in winter, delivering some impressive performances alongside Mbekezeli Mbokazi in central defence.

His seamless adaptation and consistent displays have resulted in Ouaddou having to sacrifice the captain, and Bafana international, Nkosinathi Sibisi in most matches since the start of the season. Of course, youngsters will make mistakes here and there, and that forces Ouaddou to have a firm hand.

That could be why he benched Seema in the win over Richards Bay.

When the season started, Tshegofatso Mabasa was expected to lead the line. But that hasn’t been the case. Mabasa has been out of the team, with Ouaddou preferring Evidence Makgopa and the rejuvenated Yanela Mbuthuma.

He has stressed that both Mabasa and Kamogelo Sebelebele are fit, but they haven’t been able to get game time in recent weeks due to the fierce competition in the squad.

It might be a while before the duo – and other fringe players – get playing time, as the Sea Robbers are cruising in domestic football, slowly but surely making up for their early elimination in the CAF Champions League preliminary round.

And guess what?

That’s all thanks to Ouaddou, who’s restoring the pride of the team.