Ouaddou understands supporters’ frustrations

Orlando Pirates coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, says he understands the frustrations of the club’s supporters following their back-to-back losses in the new Betway Premiership campaign.

Pirates are 14th on the log with zero points after losing 2-1 to Ouaddou’s former club, Marumo Gallants, on Tuesday night at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein.

The Bucaneers also lost 1-0 to Sekhukhune United this past Saturday, in their league opener, at the Orlando Stadium.

“When you come to such a big institution, who are playing for titles, competitions, of course there’s a lot of expectations and you can understand the fans [for being unhappy], it’s normal,” Ouaddou said.

“We understand them (the supporters)… when the club loses two games in a row like this, it’s normal that they are not happy and we are not happy as well,” Ouaddou expressed.

In Tuesday’s match, Patrick Maswanganyi, put the Sea Robbers ahead in the 16th minute before Daniel Msendami equalised on the stroke of halftime. Jaisen Clifford sealed the win for Gallants with a 92nd-minute strike.

Following the match, The Ghost took to social media to express their discontentment at Ouaddou, for leaving out players that have been crucial to Pirates’ success over the past few seasons, such as Tshegofatso Mabasa, Thalente Mbatha, and Makhehleni Makhaula.

“We have so many players and we decided this line-up because we have many games as well. Had we won, the choice would have been praised, but we lost and that’s football. We have to react quickly and find solutions,” Ouaddou explained.

“I know we have to react because we’re in a big club… We have to react very quickly to find solutions,” he added.

Pirates will look to bounce back when they face Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 first-leg semi-final at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.