‘Let Me Cook!’: Ouaddou Responds to Critics

October 31, 2026 sportnow Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has called on his detractors to allow him time to establish his football philosophy following a significant victory in the Soweto Derby on Saturday. Pirates maintained their unbeaten streak in the Betway Premiership with a 2-1 win against their fierce rivals Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium, lifting them to the top of the league table with 25 points.

Nonetheless, the Buccaneers may drop to second place if Mamelodi Sundowns triumph over Durban City later on Saturday night.

Yanela Mbuthuma netted the opening goal for Pirates in the first half, while Tshepang Moremi secured the victory with the winning goal after halftime.

In the aftermath of the win, Ouaddou seized the opportunity during his post-match discussion with SuperSport TV to outline the vision he hopes to cultivate at Pirates, stressing the need for efficiency, decisiveness, and the development of a well-rounded team.

“In contemporary football, it is essential to be both efficient and ruthless. You must be a well-rounded team,” he stated.

“That is the identity I am striving to develop at Pirates since my arrival: a team capable of playing football. At times, we showcase excellent football; at other times, we may not. Yet, one thing that remains unquestionable is our determination, resilience, and goal-scoring capability.

“We must stay grounded. There are insights gained from playing at a high level that cannot be found in books; they come from experience. People may judge, but please, allow me to perform my role. Give me time to develop our game.”

The Moroccan coach also reflected on his choice to place Deon Hotto at right-back, explaining that the tactical adjustment aimed to solve a problem but did not yield the expected outcomes.

Hotto’s use in an unfamiliar position sparked considerable discussion during the derby, with Ouaddou conceding that the experiment did not achieve its intended success, despite Pirates’ victory.

“Both goals were scored from that flank, on the right side. When I mentioned the element of surprise, it was regarding Hotto’s role at right-back,” he noted.

“However, I cannot say it was a successful choice. We attempted something new because he is experienced in playing left-back, and we believed he could possibly perform similarly on the right.

“We were searching for solutions, but I don’t believe it was effective. That’s why we opted to make a change afterward.”

With the derby win behind them, Pirates will now direct their focus to the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals, where they are set to compete against Sekhukhune United.

The Buccaneers will be keen to carry their winning streak into this match as they aim to sustain their strong performance across all competitions.