Orlando Pirates are currently the team to beat in South African football. They finished the first half of the season at the top of the log. The Buccaneers have already secured the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout trophies.
Because of this success, many expect them to dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns. Pirates have not won a league title since the 2011/12 season. However, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is preaching patience.
The Marathon Mindset
Ouaddou is pleased with the ambition shown by the club and its supporters. Yet, he is wary of overconfidence. He recently used a French proverb to describe the situation: “Don’t sell the bear skin before you’ve killed the bear.”
The coach views the Betway Premiership as a marathon. He believes the league is one of the toughest in Africa. Consistency is the key factor for any team aiming for the top spot.
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Aiming for a Clean Sweep
Captain Nkosinathi Sibisi has been open about the team’s goals. He believes a big institution like Pirates should never hide its silverware ambitions. While they fell short in the Champions League, the squad is targeting the league and the Nedbank Cup.
The team recently dropped points in a 0-0 draw against Sekhukhune United. They now prepare to face Magesi at Orlando Stadium this Saturday. Ouaddou plans to use his full squad depth to maintain momentum.
The coach insists that points will only be counted at the very end of the season. For now, the focus remains on hard work and taking the race step by step.
Source: iol.co.za