Ouaddou steadies the ship as Pirates hit form while rivals stumble

ORLANDO Pirates’ rocky start to the season could be a case of “suffer now, enjoy later,” given all the challenges currently facing their direct rivals.

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Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns have hogged the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent weeks — unlike Pirates, who are likely still basking in the glory of winning the MTN8 crown, their record-extending fourth in a row.

Chiefs are said to have mutually agreed to part ways with coach Nasred-dine Nabi on Wednesday, after the Tunisian failed to produce the updated coaching paperwork required for their CAF Confederation Cup campaign this season.

Chiefs’ faithful remain confident that Nabi’s former lieutenants, Cedric Kaze and Ben Khalil Youssef, are well suited to steer the team to calmer waters. They won all three games during the start of the season in Nabi’s absence, who was away on compassionate leave.

Elsewhere, some Masandawana supporters are still not convinced that coach Miguel Cardoso is the right man for Sundowns this season. The team’s style of play and fluidity have regressed, with contractual matters — including the departure of talisman Lucas Ribeiro — clearly affecting performance.