Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has stressed the competitiveness of the Premier Soccer League (PSL), insisting that every team presents a challenge, no matter their stature.
This comes after the Buccaneers battled to a narrow 1-0 victory over newcomers Orbit College on Tuesday evening. The result lifted Pirates to seventh place on the league table, following a shaky start that saw them lose their opening two fixtures before bouncing back with consecutive wins.
Reflecting on the performance, Ouaddou admitted that the clash was anything but straightforward.
“Of course, I’m happy with the three points, but it was tough. We were a bit tired and had to rotate, yet I must give Orbit credit for how they played,” he told SuperSport. “They have the energy and hunger of a newly promoted side, which makes them difficult opponents. In the PSL, there are no small teams.”
Orlando Pirates Finding Their Rhythm
The Soweto giants, who finished runners-up to Mamelodi Sundowns last season, appear to be slowly finding their footing in the 2024/25 campaign. Their win over Orbit came just days after they stunned Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-final, holding their nerve in a penalty shootout to secure a fourth consecutive appearance in the final.
But while cup success provided momentum, Ouaddou admitted that translating that form into league consistency remains a work in progress.
“In the first half, we wanted to keep the ball and dictate play, but it didn’t go according to plan,” he explained. “That’s why we made changes to bring in players who could keep possession in the middle, move the ball forward, and create that decisive final pass. We were sitting too deep early on, and that wasn’t what we wanted.”
A Tough Season Ahead
Despite the recent upturn in results, Ouaddou acknowledged that the campaign is shaping up to be highly demanding. The narrow win over Orbit College served as a reminder that every fixture in the PSL requires full focus and effort.
“Every match has its own challenges, and we have to respect every opponent,” the coach said. “This league is very competitive there really are no small teams.”
With Pirates back in the top half of the standings and another MTN8 final to look forward to, Ouaddou’s men will hope the hard-fought win signals the start of a more consistent run in the league.
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