Muhsin Ertugral praises Ouaddou's work with Orlando Pirates and expects him to develop further with the team!

The Moroccan has many challenges with the team.

Muhsin Ertugral praises Ouaddou's work with Orlando Pirates and expects him to develop further with the team!

Orlando Pirates have undergone a remarkable transformation since the appointment of French-Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou in June 2025, earning praise from local experts, notably veteran coach Muhsin Ertugral.

Since taking charge, Ouaddou has led the team to victory in both the MTN8 and Carling Knockout cups. The statistics underscore his impact, with the team securing 20 wins against only three defeats in 24 matches this season. Defensively, Ouaddou—a former Fulham and Morocco national team defender—has built an impenetrable wall, setting a record with eight consecutive wins without conceding a goal.

In his comments on the podcast, Ertugral, former coach of both Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates, praised the new coach, saying: "Pirates have a great, truly great coach this season, without a doubt. He brings a strong pedigree and vast experience, in addition to being a unique expert in mentally motivating players. I hope he can continue his work with focus."

Despite the strong start, Ertugral anticipates challenges in the second half of the league, stating: "It's natural for teams to face fluctuations. Mamelodi Sundowns will undoubtedly push hard, making the title race a two-horse battle this season."

Ouaddou's success—with his team scoring 48 goals and conceding only 17—rests on his distinct tactical philosophy. It emphasizes precision in both penalty areas, rapid transition from defense to attack, controlling the tempo of matches, and calculated substitutions to shift the outcome of games.