Why Did Orlando Pirates Fans Turn on Their New Coach? Inside the Turmoil After the Marumo Gallants Defeat
The Orlando Pirates, one of South Africa’s most storied football clubs, are no strangers to drama and passion from their loyal fan base. But after a recent 2-1 defeat to Marumo Gallants, the storm clouds gathered in a way few could have predicted. The center of this tempest?
Newly appointed coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, whose decisions have ignited fierce debate, anger, and even calls for his removal—just weeks into his tenure.
The loss itself was disappointing, but it was the manner of defeat and the changes implemented by Ouaddou that truly set the supporters ablaze.
For many fans, the issue wasn’t simply about dropping points; it was about the perceived dismantling of a successful formula painstakingly built by the previous coaching regime.
The Pirates, under former coach Jose Riveiro, had found a rhythm, a “well-oiled machine” as one fan described it.
The expectation was that Ouaddou would continue polishing and refining this setup, not overhaul it entirely.
Instead, Ouaddou’s approach was bold and, in the eyes of many, reckless.
He introduced a raft of new faces into the starting lineup, benching several key players who had been instrumental in the Pirates’ previous successes.
“The problem is not losing, the problem is changing what was already there and starting his own project, that’s unacceptable,” wrote one frustrated supporter. Another fan was more blunt, asking, “WHY is he changing a winning team?”
The consensus among the most vocal critics was clear: it was too early for such sweeping changes, and the timing was wrong.
This sentiment was echoed repeatedly on social media and in the comments sections of popular football channels.
Fans lamented the loss of six points to teams they never expected to lose to, and worried aloud about how many more points would slip away if the current trajectory continued.
Some even questioned Ouaddou’s credentials, pointing out his background as a defender and accusing him of failing to instill defensive discipline in the current squad.
The backlash was not universal, however.
Amid the cacophony of criticism, a smaller but determined group of supporters urged patience.
“Please MaBhakabhaka, be patient. Things will come right, the coach is still cooking,” one fan pleaded, referencing the need for time and trust in a new project.
Others pointed to the early struggles of rival teams like Sundowns and Chiefs when they underwent transitions, reminding their fellow Pirates fans that success sometimes requires enduring short-term pain for long-term gain.
Still, the calls for calm were often drowned out by more dramatic demands.
Several fans called directly for Ouaddou’s dismissal, imploring the club’s management to “release this coach” and bring in a more familiar face, such as Benni McCarthy.
The frustration reached such a fever pitch that some accused the coach of “deliberately making us lose” through poor squad selection and questionable tactics.
Underlying all the noise was a deeper anxiety about identity and continuity.
The Pirates’ recent success had fostered a sense of stability and hope, and many supporters felt that the foundations laid by the previous coach were being carelessly discarded.
“You find a well-oiled machine, instead of polishing it you want to fix,” one comment read.
“All that Ouaddou needed to do was to polish, finish, and klaar.” For these fans, the changes symbolized not just a tactical shift, but a betrayal of the progress they had witnessed.
The debate over Ouaddou’s future is now as much about philosophy as it is about results.
Should a new coach be given the freedom to build his own project, or is his first duty to respect and preserve the legacy he inherits?
Is it better to risk short-term setbacks for a potentially brighter future, or to safeguard immediate results at all costs?
As the dust settles from the Gallants defeat, the Pirates’ management faces a difficult crossroads.
The club’s leadership must decide whether to back their new coach and weather the storm, or to heed the cries of the discontented and make another change at the helm.
For Ouaddou, every match will now feel like a referendum—not just on his tactics, but on his vision for the club.
One thing is certain: the Orlando Pirates’ faithful will be watching closely, their passion undimmed, their expectations as high as ever.
The next chapter in this unfolding drama promises to be just as compelling—and just as unpredictable—as the last.
