Orlando Pirates Fans Attack Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou After Crushing Defeat—Is This the Beginning of the End?

Orlando Pirates’ nightmare start to the new Premier Soccer League season continued unabated on Tuesday evening, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Marumo Gallants.

This marked their second consecutive loss, leaving the Buccaneers rooted to the bottom of the table without a single point.

The defeat has triggered a wave of frustration among Pirates supporters, many of whom have taken to social media to vent their anger and disappointment.

The target of much of this ire has been the club’s new head coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, whose team selections and tactical approach are being fiercely questioned.

While some fans have called for patience, urging the supporters to trust the process, others are demanding immediate action from the club’s management.

A vocal contingent believes that if the poor performances continue, the Pirates could find themselves embroiled in a relegation battle—a scenario unthinkable for one of South Africa’s football giants.

The backlash has not been limited to online criticism.

Reports have emerged of angry fans confronting Ouaddou directly after the match, highlighting the intensity of the unrest within the Pirates’ fanbase.

Many supporters lament the apparent dismantling of the solid foundation laid by former coach Jose Riviero, who left the club with five trophies to his name before departing for Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

“You can’t just change almost the entire winning team with new players and expect to walk easy,” one fan wrote.

“This coach is killing the good foundation that Jose built. The dressing room will have many camps among these players.”

Others have been more scathing, accusing the club’s chairman of poor decision-making in appointing Ouaddou, whom some dismiss disparagingly as a “garden boy” from Morocco.

Calls for Riviero’s return have grown louder, with fans nostalgic for the stability and success under his tenure.

Ouaddou, however, has responded to the mounting pressure with measured empathy.

Speaking after the game, he acknowledged the high expectations that come with managing a club like Orlando Pirates.

“When you come into such a big institution that plays for titles and cup competitions, of course, there’s a lot of expectations,” Ouaddou said.

“You can understand the fans’ frustration. It is normal, but we understand them. When the club loses two games in a row like that, it’s natural for the fans to be unhappy. We, the technical team, are also not happy to lose.”

One of the most contentious issues has been Ouaddou’s squad selection.

Several key players from last season, including Talent Bata, Mala Dino, Royan, and Sufabasa, have yet to feature this campaign.

Instead, the coach has preferred to field new signings and rotate the squad.

Defending his choices, Ouaddou explained that the changes are part of a broader strategy to manage the team across multiple competitions, including the upcoming MTN8 tournament.

“We have many players and decided on this lineup against Gallants because we have many games ahead,” he said.

“We will be playing in the MTN8 against a very strong team, Mamelodi Sundowns. So, we have to make some choices. If we had won, people would say it was a good decision, but since we lost, they will say it was bad. That’s football.”

The coach’s candid remarks highlight the difficult balancing act of maintaining squad fitness and performance amid a congested fixture list.

Looking ahead, Pirates face a stern test against Sundowns this weekend—a match that could prove pivotal for Ouaddou’s tenure.

The pressure is mounting for the Buccaneers to bounce back quickly and silence the critics.

Fans remain divided.

Some believe the team can still challenge for the title this season if the coach’s plans come to fruition.

Others fear that the current turmoil signals deeper structural issues within the club.

The question now is whether Ouaddou can rally the players, regain the supporters’ trust, and steer Orlando Pirates away from the brink of crisis.

As the season unfolds, the Buccaneers’ journey promises to be one of drama, passion, and high stakes—both on and off the pitch.

For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Abdeslam Ouaddou.

Will he be the man to revive Pirates’ fortunes or the scapegoat for a club in turmoil?

Only time will tell.

But one thing is certain: the fans are watching—and waiting.