‘Pirates top management selects the team for Ouaddou’ – Khanye

Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye claims Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou does not have a say in his starting eleven anymore.

The Moroccan coach has won three league matches in a row after starting his Betway Premiership tenure with two losses last month.

After the team’s 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 first leg semi-final, the former winger said on iDiski TV that the Pirates management stepped in and selected a strong starting eleven for Ouaddou.

Following their 3-0 win over Chippa United on Sunday, Khanye shared the same sentiments.

“I don’t think this guy is the one who is selecting the Orlando Pirates lineup. Yes, he is there but there are people up the ranks who signed players for him,” he said on iDiski TV.

The former SA U/23 star questioned the Pirates’ title credentials, saying that under Ouaddou, the team has not played a consistent starting 11 in the eight matches they played

“Pirates have some of the best players in the country…I’m talking about depth. Last season, they lacked depth and now they solved the problem. My problem is the coach. Why change your starting 11?

“Today, they started with this guy Lebitso. Where does he come from? Yes, he did very well make no mistake, but where did he come from? Khanye questioned.

Ouaddou wins third consecutive match for Pirates

Under Ouaddou, Pirates have reached one final and are currently fifth in the Betway Premiership after five matches played. If the Moroccan coach can win the MTN8 later this month, he might finally win the hearts of many Bucs fans.