Ouaddou: If Players Are Not Serious, They Should Raise Their Hands
Orlando Pirates coach Abdelsam Ouaddou says he is growing frustrated with his side’s lack of ruthlessness in front of goal, insisting they must be more serious if they are to win the league title this season.
Pirates moved six points clear at the top of the Betway Premiership after defeating Marumo Gallants 3-0 at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.
They now sit on 38 points after 16 matches, six ahead of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, whom they will host at FNB Stadium in a crucial top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday.
Kaizer Chiefs, currently third on the table, are a further eight points behind their Soweto rivals.
Ouaddou, who has already won two major trophies with Pirates this season and is targeting a third, made it clear that his ambition is to secure the league crown — and warned that anyone not aligned with that goal has no place at the club.
“I think the positive thing is that we scored early,” said Ouaddou at the post-match press conference.
“Even if Marumo had scored first, things could have been different. But you’re right — when you’re playing for such a big club with a lot of ambition, it is crucial that we are clinical in the final third.
“I have been saying that, but it’s becoming a sickness. If we want to be more ambitious, we must convert our chances. Let me go further and say: let’s be serious — more serious in the final third.
“We’re not here to play circus football; we’re here to compete. There are huge expectations from the club and the fans. It’s a massive club in Africa, and everyone here is ambitious. I am very ambitious, and I will not hide it — we want to win the title.
“We will not hide it. And if some people don’t want to win the title, they must raise their hands and say so. I don’t want to waste time with people who want to joke on the pitch. I’m not here for that.”
The strong remarks serve as a clear warning to his players as Pirates aim to tighten their grip on the title race and deal a blow to Sundowns’ hopes of reclaiming the league crown they have won eight consecutive times.
Pirates are chasing their first league title since the 2011/12 season.
