Orlando Pirates Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou Embraces Pressure as Key to Success

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says pressure is essential for coaching success, insisting that those unwilling to handle it should reconsider their profession. Speaking at the Carling Knockout press conference held at SAB Headquarters in Bryanston, Johannesburg, ahead of Saturday’s round of 16 clash, Ouaddou stressed that managing a club of Pirates’ stature comes with inherent expectations.

“I think there is always pressure in all what you are doing. If you don’t feel pressure that means you don’t give sense to what you are doing. But this pressure has to be positive, and for me, as long as we don’t have this pressure… (You want) to do good and to give your best, (otherwise) I think you have to stop coaching. The pressure is always here but you have to transform it by positive pressure,” Ouaddou said.

The 46-year-old Moroccan coach highlighted that fan expectations play a critical role in motivating the team. He cited midfielder Tshepang Moremi as an example, noting that the support from Pirates’ fans helped the player regain confidence and earn a return to the Bafana Bafana squad.

“You know we have fantastic fans, and everywhere in the world, when you are in a big club, there are a lot of expectations. So I think it was a form of motivation for him as well. We can say the fans push us to be better. They are here for that. We love them. We know they love the players as well. We can say our fans push to be better every day,” Ouaddou added.

Moremi’s recent resurgence has drawn praise after a period where his form had come under scrutiny. The midfielder’s return to the national team setup under coach Hugo Broos demonstrates the positive impact of both coaching guidance and fan support.

Orlando Pirates will host Siwelele FC at Orlando Stadium on Saturday in the Carling Knockout round of 16, with kick-off scheduled for 15h00. Pirates are aiming to maintain their strong cup form and remain competitive on multiple fronts this season, with Ouaddou insisting that positive pressure will be a driving force behind their quest for silverware.

The Buccaneers’ clash with Siwelele will test both tactical preparation and mental resilience, as Ouaddou’s philosophy emphasizes transforming high expectations into performance. Fans can expect a motivated Pirates side that views pressure as an opportunity rather than a burden.