Exclusive: Pirates Legend Backs Abdeslam Ouaddou to Bounce Back and End 13-Year League Title Drought

Former Orlando Pirates legend Edward Motale has urged his former club to focus all their energy on securing the remaining silverware this season after their heartbreaking exit from the CAF Champions League.

The Buccaneers began the season aiming to go one better than last year’s semi-final finish in the continental competition, but their ambitions fell short this time around.

They were eliminated by Democratic Republic of Congo side Saint Eloi Lupopo on penalties (5-4) following a 3-3 aggregate draw.

Battle for Champions League spot still not a closed chapter

All is not lost though as uncertainty still surrounds Pirates’ exit from the tournament after they lodged an official complaint to CAF over Lupopo coach Guy Bukasa, who was reportedly serving a suspension for a disciplinary offence during the tie. 

The South African club also raised concerns over the eligibility of Lupopo players Henoc Molia and Wanet Kashala.  

Despite the controversy, Motale has called on his former side to stay focused on what they can control, most importantly, ending their 13-year wait for a league title.

Fresh off a hard-fought 1-1 draw with rivals Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership, Pirates have been the form team of the season so far and arguably pose the biggest threat to Sundowns’ dominance.

Speaking to SportsBoom.co.za, Motale said expectations were high that Pirates would extend their seven-match winning streak with victory over the defending champions, but stressed the importance of maintaining focus across all remaining competitions.

“Judging on their performances leading up to the match, the thought was obviously that they were going to get the better of Mamelodi Sundowns,” Motale said.

“Pirates will have to redeem themselves now with their next fixtures because they missed an opportunity as everyone expected a win. They will need to have a strong comeback to ensure they retain their momentum and keep their spirits high.”

An opportunity to reclaim domestic dominance

The former Bafana Bafana defender added that although Pirates’ early exit from the Champions League was disappointing given their potential, there were plenty of positives to take from their short time in the competition.

“It was a big blow being eliminated from the Champions League,” Motale reflected.

“It is water under the bridge now, but what was pleasing was to see them coming back from being a goal down to securing a 3-3 aggregate score. That, for me, showed a lot of fight in the players despite the loss on penalties.”

“The Champions League is gone, and all we have to do now is focus on the Carling Knockout and winning the league,” he added.

“While elimination helps in terms of playing fewer matches and staying fresh, Pirates were supposed to go all the way to the final. But all the focus needs to be on the other competitions and ensuring they win them.”

Abdeslam Ouaddou still ticking the right boxes

Motale believes that with the MTN8 title already secured, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has already laid a solid foundation in his first season in charge. He added that lifting either the league or another domestic trophy would make it a highly successful campaign.

Pirates now shift their attention to the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout, where they will face Richards Bay FC this weekend, aiming to win the trophy for the first time since the 2011/12 season.

Motale also commended Ouaddou for his calm handling of the squad and his effective rotation policy despite the disappointment of continental elimination.

“I could add just another trophy and for me it would be a good season,” Motale told SportsBoom.co.za.

“Two trophies this season would be great success. Every coach in the league is under pressure to deliver results because everyone wants to win."

“He has a big squad and very good players, he has 40-plus players and you need to rotate them. Different games bring different challenges, and with the opposition he faces there is a need for different players,” he concluded.