Gallants Coach Hails Players
Marumo Gallants coach Abdeslam Ouaddou expressed pride in his team’s 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership match at FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Trevor Mathiane and Daniel Msendami’s goals were enough to help Bahlabane Ba Ntwa secure their important victory over Amakhosi, who beat them 2-1 also in the first round.
“When you are fighting to save the club, you say to the players it’s the same pressure when fighting for the title,” Ouaddou said, highlighting the importance of every match in their relegation battle.
The win has seen Gallants move to 10th place with 30 points, and they have two crucial matches remaining against Magesi and Chippa United.
Ouaddou praised his players for their hard work and dedication, saying, “We are proud of them because since the beginning, it was not easy at training as we are hard on them sometimes. They work a lot, and on Saturday, they achieved things.”
Looking ahead, Ouaddou emphasized the need to stay focused and aim for the remaining six points.
The Moroccan tactician also noted the determination of teams fighting relegation, saying, “If you see all teams that are fighting for relegation, you can see that they are developing strengths. The way they do things is like they need to save their lives, especially Magesi, and I like to watch them.”
On a personal note, Ouaddou expressed his satisfaction with working in South Africa, saying, “I will stay in the PSL; the PSL is one of the best leagues in Africa. I’m very happy to work in South Africa because football is structured here. I think we have people who have a game model, who want to achieve something.”
The former AS Vita coach also highlighted the competence, good structures, and organized clubs in South Africa, which he believes create an environment conducive to success.
“You can see that many clubs (Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and Stellenbosch) went far in African competitions, so I enjoy working here, and I think it’s nice to be in South Africa,” he added.
With two matches remaining, Gallants will look to build on their momentum and secure their Premier Soccer League status.
Ouaddou’s praise for his players and his commitment to the PSL underscore the team’s determination to achieve their goals. As the season nears its end, Gallants fans will be eagerly watching to see how their team performs in the final matches.
