sportskeeda
Orlando Pirates’ coach, Abdelsam Ouaddou, jokingly noted that even after clinching the MTN8 title, some continue to refer to him as merely a “plumber” or “carpenter.”
Ouaddou, who took the reins during the offseason after the esteemed Jose Riveiro, has now won his first PSL trophy as the Pirates successfully defended their MTN8 title. They achieved a 3-0 win against Stellenbosch after extra time at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
This triumph marks the fourth consecutive MTN8 title for Pirates, leaving them just one victory shy of Kaizer Chiefs’ all-time record of 15 wins.
Ouaddou’s hiring initially raised skepticism among fans, who questioned whether he could match Riveiro’s impressive tenure. Riveiro, who joined in June 2022, collected five trophies and guided the team to the CAF Champions League semi-finals last season before departing in May.
“This doesn’t mean that I’m a better coach than I was two months ago,” Ouaddou remarked during the post-match press conference. “I believe many might still view me as a plumber or carpenter.”
The expression “plumber” is a South African slang term that describes a coach lacking significant accomplishments in their career. Riveiro encountered similar labels when he first arrived due to his comparatively modest coaching history.
Ouaddou concluded by expressing his respect for his rival. “I don’t see myself as superior to Steve Barker. I have great respect for him; he’s a remarkable coach,” he commented.
“His team at Stellenbosch is very competitive. It’s a club that has maintained stability and professionalism for a long time, and we’re thrilled to have secured that trophy.”
