“We Must Fix This Quickly”: Ouaddou Issues Sharp Warning After Opening Match Victory
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou highlighted his side’s defensive shortcomings despite their 2-0 Betway Premiership victory over Milford FC at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.
The defending champions began their 2026/27 league campaign with a comfortable win over the newly promoted side, a result that lifted them to the top of the standings on three points.
Despite the positive result, Ouaddou admitted that Pirates still have defensive issues to address and insisted they must improve quickly as the season progresses.
“Yeah, you are right. I think it is something that we have to fix quickly because I cannot say that this team put us in trouble,” said Ouaddou.
“I think we made mistakes and allowed them to finish. Thankfully, we did not concede a goal, but I think we could have. It is something that we have to fix quickly and regain our serenity and calmness in the game.”
Ouaddou added that a club of Pirates’ stature cannot afford such defensive lapses if it hopes to challenge for major honours this season.
“We are Orlando Pirates, and I feel that sometimes we stress too much. If we want to play at a high level, we have to be ambitious again for the title and for the Champions League. We need to have more serenity,” he concluded.
