sportskeeda
Orlando Pirates’ head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou considers pressure as an essential factor for success, eagerly embracing the challenge of winning trophies with the Buccaneers.
Since taking over from Jose Riveiro, who had a remarkable tenure at the club, Ouaddou has already made his mark by securing the MTN8 title last month.
Riveiro’s era at Pirates was marked by notable accomplishments, including three MTN8 Cups, two Nedbank Cup titles, and a semifinal finish in the CAF Champions League last season.
However, Ouaddou remains unperturbed by the pressure to replicate those achievements.
“I believe that pressure exists in everything you undertake,” he stated.
“If you’re not experiencing that pressure, it indicates you’re not valuing what you’re pursuing.”
For Ouaddou, pressure serves not as a source of anxiety but as a driving force for motivation.
“This pressure should be constructive; for me, if I’m not challenging myself, it might be time to stop coaching,” he emphasized.
“Pressure is a constant, but you must maintain confidence in its positive aspects.”
Despite his triumph in the MTN8, Ouaddou is still in the process of developing his team and believes he hasn’t yet determined his ideal starting eleven.
“I don’t think I’ve finalized my best eleven, as coaching a prominent club requires a different strategy and structure,” he remarked.
“I have faith in the group of players; it’s not solely about eleven individuals. Success comes from the entire squad, and I trust in our collective strength.”
The Buccaneers are now focused on their Carling Knockout round of 16 clash against Siwelele at Orlando Stadium this Saturday, a competition that Riveiro could not conquer, facing elimination in the quarterfinals in 2023 and the round of 16 in 2024.
