Orlando Pirates Coach Slams Team's “Circus” Football

Orlando Pirates Coach Slams Team's “Circus” Football

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou praises team's win, but blasts their showboating in the final minutes of the match.

“I think if we want to do this, we have to go to the circus. I'm not here to go to the circus or to play circus (football)...”

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou expressed mixed feelings about his team's 2-1 win over Magesi in the Carling Knockout quarter-final. While he was pleased with the victory, which advances Pirates to the semi-finals, he was dismayed by his team's performance in the final stages of the match.

Ouaddou criticized his players for showboating and not maintaining focus, describing their behavior as a “circus.” He was particularly frustrated that Pirates conceded a stoppage-time goal to Magesi defender Johnny Mokone, which he felt was avoidable. Despite the win, Ouaddou's concerns about his team's discipline and concentration were evident in his post-match comments.

“My big disappointment was the last 15 minute and it's the first time I will address that. If we want to be more ambitious, if we want to go forward, we have to stop this nonsense of playing a sterile position and to enjoy playing small passes,” he said.

“I think if we want to do this, we have to go to the circus. I'm not here to go to the circus or to play circus (football). I'm here to improve my players, to go forward, and we have to stop this nonsense, because at the end, we conceded a goal, and the target was not to concede but to finish with the clean sheet.

“So I think we have to improve on that if we want to be more ambitious.”

☠️ FT | @orlandopirates 2 - 1 @Magesi_FC

🥅 Moremi 51', Makgopa 88'

⚫⚪🔴⭐#MatchDay#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/woqrN8IK9Q

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) October 28, 2025

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou emphasized that goals are the most important aspect of the game, not entertainment, despite South African fans enjoying the showboating displayed by his team.

“I'm respecting a lot of culture, the traditions, I've come to a fantastic country. It's a land of football, South Africa,” he added.

“But we have to find the right balance. It's okay because it's a cup game. But in the league, every goal is very important, especially at the end (of the season).

“I was a football player as well. And I like the show. But you must go forward and to finish the action. If you stay in the same position, in the same place, and make 30 passes in five square metres … that’s not interesting.”

Despite the late goal, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou's overall assessment of the game was positive, particularly after Tshepang Moremi and Evidence Makgopa's second-half goals gave Pirates a 2-0 lead, showcasing a strong performance.

“We started with the high intensity we wanted, to put pressure on the opponent to try to score early,” Ouaddou said.

“I think the boys did a fantastic game in terms of what we wanted to execute today. We managed to create a lot of chances. I think that by half time, we could have led with five goals. 

“So it's a positive point. I'd like to congratulate my boys for that. It was important to take this victory and to go through the next stage.”