“He Helped Us Win The Title Last Season”: Ouaddou Salutes Lungu After MTN8 Masterclass
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has highlighted Ghamphani Lungu’s significant impact at the club, crediting the 27-year-old with playing an important role in their success last season.
Lungu has continued to establish himself as one of Pirates’ key players since the start of the 2026/27 campaign, scoring crucial goals in important matches.
The Zambia-born international has already scored four goals in seven appearances this season, underlining his growing influence within the team.
Lungu scored a late winner, using the outside of his foot to send the Soweto giants into the semifinals after Pirates edged stubborn Durban City in the tournament’s quarterfinals.
He was also on target as Pirates cruised to a 3-0 victory over Sekhukhune United in the second leg of the MTN8 semifinal at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, securing a 4-1 aggregate win.
Speaking after Pirates’ victory over Sekhukhune in the second leg, Ouaddou praised the impact Lungu has made since joining the club. The coach jokingly suggested that Lungu played a major role in Pirates winning the Betway Premiership last season, specifically referring to the hat-trick he scored against Mamelodi Sundowns while playing for Siwelele.
Those goals, Ouaddou suggested, played a significant part in Pirates winning the league title for the first time in 14 years.
“This boy helped us win the title last season,” said Ouaddou.
“I was not surprised when he came here. He was very excited and, first of all, he was very happy to join such a big club. From last season, I think he was already part of the family. We integrated him very well, and he’s giving his best.
“I always say that you have a short time or a long time to adapt when you join a new club. But we just opened our hearts to him when he came, and he became part of the family. You see, he’s like he’s been here for a long time.”
Pirates will now await the outcome of the other semifinal, with Golden Arrows hosting Sundowns in the second leg at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.
