Myeni raises concern over Ouaddou’s Pirates approach
Former Orlando Pirates midfielder and now podcaster Sifiso Myeni has raised concerns over coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s public criticism of his players.
Myeni believes Ouaddou could be sending the wrong message by openly questioning his players’ performances in the media. The coach came under the spotlight after Pirates’ 1-1 draw against AmaZulu on Wednesday night.
Ouaddou expressed his frustration after the match and told some of his players that they needed to “wake up”. However, Myeni believes there was a better way for the coach to deliver that message.
“I am a bit worried about the comments that the coach made after the game in terms of what he said in front of the cameras,” Myeni said. “He said he wants the players to wake up. If he wants the players to wake up, I think and believe there is a better way to do it.” Myeni believes the coach should have addressed the issue privately in the dressing room rather than in front of the media.
The former Pirates player says Ouaddou’s comments have also left him asking difficult questions about the coach’s state of mind. “For me, I am left with unanswered questions. Does the coach still want to be there, or does he want to leave? Or is he frustrated?” Myeni also suggested there could be issues behind the scenes that supporters are unaware of.
“If a coach comes out and speaks like that in the media, as a player, I would not take it well,” he added. However, Myeni acknowledged that Ouaddou has every right to demand more from his players. He warned, though, that public criticism could be twisted and create unnecessary tension in the Pirates’ dressing room.
