Ouaddou Stresses Importance Of Strong Squad To Compete On All Fronts
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdelsam Ouaddou says building a strong, united squad is the key to winning major competitions as the Soweto giants continue to juggle PSL, CAF Champions League, and domestic cup fixtures.
The Buccaneers defended their MTN8 title last month and climbed to third place in the Betway Premiership after a convincing 2-0 victory over TS Galaxy at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night.
Pirates now sit on 15 points after seven matches, trailing Mamelodi Sundowns by six points, though the defending champions have played three games more. They are also five points behind Sekhukhune United, who have played two additional matches.
In continental competition, Pirates marched into the CAF Champions League second round after dismantling Lesotho outfit Lioli 7-0 on aggregate, giving Ouaddou the opportunity to rotate his squad.
Next up, the Buccaneers turn their attention to the Carling Knockout round of 16, where they host Siwelele at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (15:00).
Ouaddou, who took charge of Pirates during the off-season, emphasized the importance of having depth and unity in the squad.
“For me, you can win a match with 11 players, but if you want to win the league, if you want to win big competitions, you need a group,” said Ouaddou.
“And not only a group. Every time I start a job at a club, I don’t speak about my game model first. My first interaction is about values. Because values are the foundation of every project. Without strong values, the project can collapse in the middle of the season.”
With the fixtures coming thick and fast, Ouaddou believes Pirates’ success will depend on their collective mentality, fitness, and discipline as they aim to challenge Sundowns for league dominance while competing strongly in Africa.
