Ouaddou Backs De Jong To Deliver For Pirates

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has expressed strong confidence in André De Jong’s growing influence in the Buccaneers, insisting the forward will play a crucial role as they chase more silverware this season.

The 29-year-old attacker arrived at Pirates during the January transfer window from Stellenbosch, where he had made a name for himself after initially joining the Cape Winelands side from Royal AM in 2023.

Although De Jong has featured in almost every match since his move, most of his appearances have come from the bench, with his only start so far producing a memorable moment in the Nedbank Cup.

De Jong was in the starting line-up against Limpopo ABC Motsepe League outfit Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in the round of 32 and repaid the technical team’s faith by scoring the opening goal in a convincing 4–1 victory.

Ouaddou revealed that the club made a deliberate effort to ensure the New Zealand international settled quickly.

“I think he has settled well in the club; his integration was okay when he came,” said Ouaddou.

“When he came, we sat down with him alongside the management, showing him what we want from him as a club. He is a very clever player and a top man with humanity, kindness, and ambition as well.

“All the time, when we give him time to show what he is capable of doing, he gives his best. I’m sure that there is a lot of the best he will show in the next 13 or 14 games that we have in the Nedbank and the league.

“I am very happy with his commitment and what he can bring to the team. With the numbers that we have, it’s difficult to bring him up quickly, but I’m sure we will see the best from him soon.”

While praising De Jong’s contribution, the Moroccan mentor shifted the focus to the collective mission at the Soweto giants, underlining the importance of winning trophies for a club of Pirates’ stature.

“I used to say to the players that when you are playing for such a big club, you want at the end of your career to be remembered as a legend,” he added.

“Sometimes you spend one year or three years, then if you don’t win anything, you will have a problem. So you have to win everything so that in the history of the club you put your name by winning the titles.

“This is a kind of challenge that the Pirates players need to have. You cannot just come to Pirates and tick the box and train every morning, then life is good, then at the end of the season you win nothing.

“I think Pirates don’t need those kinds of players; this club needs ambitious players who can help us. I think we have these kinds of players and I’m happy about that, and they are very, very ambitious.”

The Buccaneers have already lifted the MTN8 and Carling Knockout trophies this season and remain firmly on course for more success.

Ouaddou’s side currently sit at the top of the Betway Premiership standings with 38 points from 17 matches, three points ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, while they have also progressed to the Nedbank Cup round of 16.

Attention now turns to Saturday’s cup clash against Motsepe Foundation Championship side Casric Stars at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, where Pirates will be aiming to secure a quarter-final spot and keep their dream of a clean sweep of domestic titles alive.

For De Jong, it presents another opportunity to earn more minutes and continue proving why his coach believes his best is yet to come.