Ouaddou unpacks his playing philosophy at Pirates

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Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained his game model in detail, crediting the club’s recruitment department for new signings. Photo: Gallo Images

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Ouaddou unpacks his playing philosophy at Pirates

Aug 31, 2026 – 09:59 am
By Thato Bosoga

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has opened up on how his new signings have settled in quickly at the Soweto giants — and provided a detailed insight into the game model driving the Buccaneers’ success.

Pirates’ new recruits, including Gamphani Lungu, Mthetheli Mthiyane, Thapelo Mokobodi, Sbangani Zulu and players promoted from the DStv Diski Challenge such as Mpho Padime, have seemingly adapted well to life at the club and appear to fit seamlessly into Ouaddou’s playing style.

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The French-Moroccan coach credited the club’s scouting and recruitment department for identifying players who align with the identity of the club and his tactical philosophy, following their commanding 3-0 win over Sekhukhune United in the MTN8 semi-final second leg.

Speaking in a post-match press conference at Orlando Stadium, Ouaddou offered a comprehensive breakdown of his game model, insisting that his approach goes beyond simply playing a positional style.

“We have a scouting department recruiting the players, regarding the identity of the club. But I don’t only want to play in transition, the boys need to play a positional game, to be able to play a positional game when we need to,” Ouaddou said.

“But in my game model, I try to teach the players to be efficient in all phases. They must recognize the phases of the game. I cannot just come to tick the boxes of being a positional coach.”

The 47-year-old expanded on his philosophy, explaining that his training sessions are designed to equip players with the ability to adapt to different situations during matches — whether that means playing a positional game, exploiting transitional moments, or reading what the opposition presents.

“My game model is to train all the week, during our periodization, our cycles, the possibility of our players to play a positional game, a transitional game, if we need. To recognize the attacking and defensive transitions. That’s it,” the former Marumo Gallants coach said.

“And I think what they did today is to be able to recognize the space when they recover the ball and to attack that space. It is something we’ve been working on, with exercises in training. I think in modern football, with clever players, they don’t have to play only one way. They must recognize what the opponent gives us as a problem and to answer the question,” Ouaddou added.