- Orlando Pirates are preparing for the CAF Champions League group stages, with mental strength emerging as a key concern
- The Buccaneers coach believes expectations at a big club can affect young players’ decisions on the pitch
- With 10 new players in the squad, Ouaddou is weighing up additional support to help them manage the pressure
Source: Twitter
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes his young squad may need professional psychological support to cope with the pressure of competing in the CAF Champions League group stages. He says the expectations attached to the Soweto giants can affect players’ decision-making during matches.
Speaking to SABC Sport on 26 October 2026, Ouaddou explained that managing emotions could be as important as improving the team’s technical ability.
“The wrong choices are not because they are bad players, it's because they have pressure,” he said.
Ouaddou considers a psychologist for Pirates players
The coach admitted that he and his technical team might need outside expertise to help players handle the demands of representing Pirates.
“I hope that I can help them as a coach, but maybe we will need a professional, even a psychologist to go a little bit deeper because I'm not a psychologist,” Ouaddou said.
He also pointed to moments when pressure seemed to affect the players’ execution, even though the same footballers performed differently in the two halves of a match.
Orlando Pirates have one of the PSL’s youngest squads
Pirates have an average squad age of 25.8, making them the second-youngest team in the Premier Soccer League’s Premier Division, behind AmaZulu at 25.5.
Ouaddou also highlighted the challenge of integrating 10 new players into a club with substantial expectations.
“In the PSL, I have one of the youngest teams and if you saw that we have 10 new players. It's not easy to integrate into a club as big as Pirates,” he said.
Pirates reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals two seasons ago before losing to eventual champions Pyramids FC. Around 11 players from that squad remain, but the current group includes several newcomers.
The 2026/27 group-stage draw is scheduled for Wednesday, 28 October, in Cairo, Egypt. Pirates will discover their opponents as they prepare to pursue continental success.
Source: Instagram
Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine earns praise from Abdeslam Ouaddou
Briefly News also reported that Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou had explained why goalkeeper Sipho Chaine is central to his tactical system.
The shot-stopper recorded 21 clean sheets in 30 Betway Premiership appearances during the 2025/26 season, underlining his importance to the Buccaneers.
Source: Briefly News
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