Abdeslam Ouaddou steadies the ship as Orlando Pirates hit form while rivals stumble

Orlando Pirates’ rocky start to the season could be a “case of suffer now, enjoy later,” given all the challenges currently facing their direct rivals.

Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns have hogged the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent weeks — unlike Pirates, who are likely still basking in the glory of winning the MTN8 crown, their record-extending fourth in a row.

Chiefs are said to have mutually agreed to part ways with coach Nasreddine Nabi on Wednesday, after the Tunisian failed to produce the updated coaching paperwork required for their CAF Confederation Cup campaign this season.

Chiefs’ faithful remain confident that Nabi’s former lieutenants, Cedric Kaze and Ben Khalil Youssef, are well suited to steer the team to calmer waters. They won all three games during the start of the season in Nabi’s absence, who was away on compassionate leave.

Elsewhere, some Masandawana supporters are still not convinced that coach Miguel Cardoso is the right man for Sundowns this season. The team’s style of play and fluidity have regressed, with contractual matters — including the departure of talisman Lucas Ribeiro — clearly affecting performance.

The Portugal-born coach, who was visibly disappointed after his team dropped points in a 1-1 draw away to Marumo Gallants on Wednesday, believes they’ll regain their mojo and return to their best, especially once players like Khuliso Mudau return — he featured for the first time in the last quarter of the match against Gallants on Wednesday.

However, at Pirates, there haven’t been such disturbances. The Sea Robbers are cruising nicely, having won their last three league matches and lifted the MTN8 crown under the leadership of Abdeslam Ouaddou.

But the smooth sailing wasn’t evident from the start. The Morocco-born coach is only now turning the tide. He had a rocky start to the league, losing the first two games to Sekhukhune United and Gallants, respectively.

Those defeats piled pressure on Ouaddou, as the Ghost wanted nothing more than to see the team hoist the league title this season. At one point, there was a general expectation that he’d be relieved of his duties.

However, Pirates’ management stuck with him — and they now seem to be reaping the rewards. Ouaddou is slowly winning everyone over, including the most important stakeholders of the team: the players.

Tshepang Moremi had a tough start to life at Pirates. He was sluggish and wasteful in front of goal, resulting in some fans calling for his return to AmaZulu.

But hard work and adherence to Ouaddou’s instructions have seen him turn things around. He had a night to remember in the MTN8 showdown, coming off the bench to win the game for his side with a brace and an assist in their 3-0 victory.

Moremi described it as the best match of his professional career to date, as he lifted his first trophy since debuting at Usuthu six years ago.

With the season slowly approaching the halfway mark, other players will also be eager to create special moments with Pirates — and that can only bode well for Ouaddou and his ambitions.

The former Fulham defender admitted he was scrutinised upon arrival at Pirates due to a poor silverware record, but he believed in his capabilities and those of his technical team. That belief is why he never doubted they’d make the Ghost happy people once again.

So, given all the developments at the club in recent weeks — and the challenges facing rivals Chiefs and Sundowns — it seems Ouaddou and his troops are hitting the right notes at just the right time.