Pressure mounts for rattled Ouaddou as Pirates take on Sundowns in sold-out MTN8 semifinal

If Abdeslam Ouaddou had underestimated how big a deal it is to coach Orlando Pirates, by the end of the Thursday's MTN8 first leg semifinal prematch press conference in Johannesburg, the 46-year-old had surely realised what a huge task he has on his hands. 

The new Pirates coach was grilled by the media ahead of Bucs' clash against Mamelodi Sundowns at Orlando Stadium on Saturday where, in reality, a third successive loss for Pirates in all competitions may be the last time Ouaddou gets to sit on the club's hot seat.

It may not even be up to the club's management to show Ouaddou the door, but the reaction of the fans at a sold-out Orlando on Saturday, if things do not go Pirates way, may be enough to push the former Moroccan international into packing his bags and leaving less than a month into his reign. 

Two successive defeats in the Betway Premiership - at home to Sekhukhune United and away to Marumo Gallants - have cast a shadow of doubt on Ouaddou's suitability to lead the Buccaneers.

But to his credit, Ouaddou did his best to navigate some of the toughest questions that were fired at him in what must have felt like the longest 20 minutes he's experienced since succeeding Jose Riveiro as Bucs coach.

What was noticeable in Ouaddou's answers was how short some of them were and how many times he looked irritated when he felt he was being asked the same question.

This was a far cry from when things look rosy after Ouaddou had won his first match at the club, beating Polokwane City 2-0 to make it to the last four of a competition that Bucs have won in the last three years.

Two questions in particular must have rattled the Bucs coach.

One was about why he's chosen ‘to dismantle’ the starting line-up of the Pirates team that defended the MTN8, lost in the final of the Nedbank Cup, reached the semifinals of the Caf Champions League and finished as runners-up to Sundowns in the league last season.

The second was about why he's not given a single minute to Pirates' top striker Tshegofatso Mabasa, midfielder Thalente Mbatha and right back Deano van Rooyen, who were all regulars in Riveiro's team last season.

“Every season is different and everybody is important for us this season. You're talking about the results of last season, but this season is a new one with the new players, with the new coaches ... every season has its truth.

“Look, it's very important to understand the side and what we want to achieve. We have talented and good players and a big squad. Everybody is important, like I said and everybody will get the possibility to compete and show what he's able to give the club. 

“There's a lot of new players and of course our duty is to integrate them and to give them the opportunity to perform. But definitely everybody is important this season for us,” Ouaddou said in answer to the first question.

On why Mabasa, Mbatha and Van Rooyen have not featured so far in his team, Ouaddou has this to say: “We have a big squad [of over 40 players] and we have good players. Everybody will be important this season.

“There's no bad reason they haven't played. They're ready and they're performing [well at training]. The time will come when we'll use them.

“I knew Mabasa before I came here. He's a talented player, but like I told you, the time will come when he will give his best to our club. We know he's chasing this record [all-time top goal scorer at the club], but the time will come for him.”

The only players Ouaddou confirmed will not feature in Saturday's game because of injuries are skipper Nkosinathi Sibisi, Olisa Ndah and Makhehlene Makhaula.

In the absence of Sibisi in Tuesday's loss against Gallants, Ouaddou chose to pair stand-in 19-year-old captain Mbekezeli Mbokazi with another young new player Lebone Seema and left experienced Tapelo Xoki on the bench.

But despite questions about his decisions, Ouaddou insisted he's the right man to lead Bucs this season and called on the club's supporters to rally behind him and his team.

“I can understand our fans' [frustration],” said Ouaddou.

“Our fans are happy and they love the club. Everywhere in the country and on the continent, they're passionate people, they're the 12th man. What we can promise them is that we're going to bounce back, we're going to sweat to try to represent the badge well to bring them happiness. It's only the beginning.” 

There are two key aspects that Ouaddou insisted he's looking to reinforce in his team ahead of Saturday's game: the mental part and the tactics.

“It's a very exciting game for us and for the fans. We're only looking to do one thing on Saturday: to play a good game, to perform and to give our best and to win that game. Of course we know it's not going to be easy, but it's our only focus for Saturday.

“We have to transform the pressure into positive pressure, to give our best for our fans in our quest to change things and to bring them happiness.

“It's very important to be positive with the players and try to give them the trust. If you're mentally not ready it can be difficult. It's my job to keep believing in my players. I believe in them, they're good players, I love them and I keep loving them and I keep giving them love.

“But the most important thing is that we keep working on the pitch and try to improve the things we didn't do well in the previous games. But believe me, I cannot throw away all the positive things that the players did well. As a coach you cannot just throw away the things that have been well done. We just have to improve in the next game.”