Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has expressed the importance of trust received by club management after a run of eight consecutive victories in all competitions.
After starting the season with a win over Polokwane City in the MTN8, back-to-back league defeats to Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants to start the campaign piled immediate pressure on the shoulders of Jose Riveiro’s successor.
A coach that secured five domestic trophies was a tough act to follow, but Ouaddou has now retained the MTN8, their fourth successive triumph, and could go to the top of the table, should they win their games in hand – while also progressing to the second round of the CAF Champions League preliminary qualifiers after a 7-0 aggregate win over Lioli.
“I didn’t change anything, I just trusted the work I’m doing, the values I put into my work, the love I put in my job, the love I give my players – and what is important as well is the trust of my club, because without trust of your management, the board, it’s difficult,” Ouaddou said.
“So, I thank them for that, for the trust, so yeah – we had many conversations with the players, we had individual talks, just to give them trust and show them exactly how I want to play, what’s my expectations when we’re attacking, defending, transitions, set-pieces.
“And like I told you – I have a fantastic team around me, South African staff, lot of good competencies – I’m not working alone, I give credit all the time to my South African [technical team], this work is not just the coach, don’t forget we have many departments in this club.
“Credit has to be given to my players, the medical department, the performance [analysts] and technical staff and the management – it’s teamwork, and it’s not finished, we have a long season with many targets, but I’m happy with what we have achieved now.”
Pirates now turn their attention to TS Galaxy in the league on Tuesday evening at Orlando Stadium with kick-off at 19h30 – before their Carling Knockout opener against Siwelele over the weekend.
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