Ouaddou's rocky start at Pirates raises questions

ORLANDO Pirates are not where they want to be in the Betway Premiership, and new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is largely to blame for that.

- MIHLALI BALEKA

Pirates lost 2-1 to Marumo Gallants on Tuesday, their second defeat in succession after losing the season opener to Sekhukhune United.

That was not supposed to happen. Pirates were expected to challenge for the title, but they have failed to get off the mark as anticipated. The club invested heavily in the team, returning to Marbella, Spain, for their preseason camp for the third year in a row.

And that’s not all — they also strengthened their squad with new signings, including Sipho Mbule, Sihle Nduli, Oswin Appollis, and Kamogelo Sebelele. The new players were expected to take time to settle in, but such was Ouaddou’s belief in them that he has thrown many straight into the deep end. Perhaps therein lies the problem: placing too much trust in the newcomers while sidelining senior players.