‘Maybe I am still a plumber’ – Ouaddou reacts to Pirates’ MTN8 win

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has shared his thoughts after winning the MTN8 trophy.

The Moroccan coach joined the Sea Robbers in June, replacing Jose Riveiro. With the former coach having won five trophies in three seasons, the pressure was always going to be on Ouaddou to match the Spaniard’s success.

Despite early struggles, it appears that the former Marumo Gallants has found his settled starting lineup. Against Stellenbosch in the MTN8 final, Ouaddou made inspired changes in the second half, which inspired Orlando Pirates to win their fourth consecutive MTN8 trophy.

“It doesn’t mean that I am a better coach than two months ago. Maybe I am still a plumber or a carpenter for many people,” Ouaddou told the media.

“I don’t see myself as better than Steve Barker; I have very big respect for him. He is a very good coach with a very interesting team.

“Of course, we are happy. Like I told you, the club has been winning this trophy for many years. So for people, it’s like its normal. But it’s not normal because you need to perform,” he said.

Pirates claim another MTN8 trophy

“It was not so easy; it was very close. We played Stellenbosch again today, a team that was part of the [CAF] Africa competitions. So, for me, it’s part of the process,” the Bucs coach added.

“I was not worried. Maybe people were worrying and had a lot of doubts about the coach, but like I said, in football, sometimes you need patience. When you come to a club that has 10 new players and you need to implement a philosophy and give a model.”

“I am not saying philosophy because Jose [Riveiro] did a very good job before. So it was important to keep the legacy and also to be something new for the club to be more than [before].”

Pirates have now won 14 MTN8 titles and are just one shy of equalising Kaizer Chiefs’ record.