Mngqithi Reveals Pirates’ Strength This Season
Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi has highlighted Orlando Pirates’ key strengths behind their impressive success that has led to three trophies this season.
The Buccaneers secured the MTN8, Carling Knockout, and Carling Cup — under the guidance of Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou. This run has also seen Ouaddou collect two Betway Premiership Coach of the Month awards so far.
Pirates added the Carling Cup to their haul after defeating Mngqithi’s Carling All Stars team at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
The 1995 African champions have also impressed in the Betway Premiership, where they currently sit top of the table with 28 points from 12 matches. They head into the Africa Cup of Nations and Christmas break as league leaders.
“I think what is more fascinating with this Pirates team, which can surprise many people, is that they’re just efficient,” Mngqithi said after the game on Saturday.
“I think sometimes that drives up because when you look, sometimes they don’t create many chances, but rely on the mistakes of the opponents.
“But they’re able to punish you on most of those mistakes this season, which in the past they would miss a lot because they were not creating many chances.
“But this season, I think the inclusion of players like Tshepang Moremi and Oswin Appollis has really boosted the attacking play.
“I think you know what Appollis is capable of, and Yanela Mbuthuma can be everywhere in that position, but he is strong in the air.
“I think that is something that they’re building on, and that efficiency sometimes, if it drives up, then you must rely on how much creativity and how much you really force opponents to make mistakes, because it’s a different story to play on transitions and when you also have to lay down a low block.”
However, the 54-year-old coach is sensing a danger – warning that Pirates could face challenges in the second half of the season, as many teams have now figured out their style of play.
“I can guarantee you on what they have done in the first half of the season, a lot of teams are going to sit back in the second half of the season,” he added.
“I think when they sit back, then it will ask a lot of questions in the team, because at the moment, I think they have created a lot of goals from transitions.”
The Buccaneers are now left with two trophies to compete for, which are the league and the Nedbank Cup, and they struggled to win both these trophies last season. Ouaddou’s men will return to the field in January 2026 after the conclusion of the AFCON.
