Orlando Pirates Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou Encouraged by Pre Season Progress Despite Early Warning Signs
There is growing belief inside the Orlando Pirates camp as preparations for the new season gather pace in Spain, but head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has made it clear that his side still has work to do before the real battles begin.
After two encouraging pre season performances, the Buccaneers are beginning to show the intensity, structure and identity their new coach wants. Yet Ouaddou remains focused on the finer details, insisting that complacency has no place as the countdown to the Betway Premiership and CAF Champions League continues.
Pirates have chosen Spain as their pre season base for the third successive year, using the European training camp to sharpen both fitness and tactics before another demanding campaign.
The Soweto giants opened their friendly programme with a 1-1 draw against Córdoba CF before producing an impressive 2-1 victory over Cádiz CF on Saturday. The performances have provided encouraging signs for supporters eager to see how the squad is taking shape under Ouaddou’s leadership.
The tour has also allowed several new arrivals and promising academy graduates to make their mark. Matome Mmolai, Neo Rapoo, Mthetheleli Mthiyane, Bohlale Ngwato, Sbangani Zulu and Gamphani Lungu have all been given valuable opportunities to impress.
Youngsters Christian Derbyshire, Simphiwe Masilela and Mpho Padime, who earned promotion from the DStv Diski Challenge side, have also received meaningful minutes as they compete for places in the senior squad.
For Ouaddou, the biggest victory has been the response from his players.
“The players have given me good responses. Step by step, we are raising our intensity level. And we are now close to that level we will need when the league starts in two weeks’ time,” he said.
The Moroccan coach praised his team’s commitment throughout the camp, highlighting their defensive organisation and their ability to launch quick attacks after winning possession.
Those qualities are becoming increasingly visible as Pirates continue to develop their style ahead of a season in which expectations will once again be extremely high.
However, Ouaddou was equally honest about the shortcomings that still concern him.
He pointed to the opening stages of the victory over Cádiz as a reminder that improvements remain essential.
“I was not happy with how we started the match against Cádiz. In the first ten minutes, we were unfocused, and we ended up conceding a goal. That is something we must fix before the season begins,” he said.
His assessment reflects a coach determined to build consistency rather than celebrate early success. While the results have been positive, Ouaddou believes concentration from the opening whistle will be crucial once competitive football returns.
Pirates now enter the final phase of their Spanish training camp with three more friendly fixtures scheduled before heading home.
They will take on Al Ittihad on Tuesday, UD Las Palmas on Wednesday and Neom SC on Friday, giving Ouaddou further opportunities to evaluate his squad and fine tune his plans before the Betway Premiership kicks off.
With the opening league fixture only weeks away, the signs are encouraging for Orlando Pirates. The foundations are being laid, young talent is emerging and confidence is growing, but Ouaddou’s message remains unmistakable. Progress alone will not be enough. Perfection is still the target before the season truly begins.
