A new coach and several new signings later, Orlando Pirates will start the new season in the same way they began the previous three campaigns — with a desire to end a domestic title drought.
The seven recruits — Tshepang Moremi, Sihle Nduli, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Yanela Mbuthuma, Tshepho Mashiloane, Masindi Nemtajela and Nkosikhona Ndaba — signal a strong intent that Pirates are coming to challenge for the league yet again and avoid having the perennial bridesmaid tag hanging like an albatross around their necks.
Abdeslam Ouaddou, the lanky lad born in Morocco’s south-eastern town of Anlif 46 years ago, has a tough act to follow, arriving as he did, hot on the heels of a five-trophy haul by his predecessor Jose Riveiro.
Over and above defending the three MTN8 titles and the Nedbank Cup double, the former international defender capped 68 times for his country must win the war Riveiro and many before him lost, the 30-match league marathon.
A long Cape to Cairo list of men have tried to repeat the scenes last seen at Moses Mabhida Stadium when the Augusto Palacios-coached Class of 2012 beat Lamontville Golden Arrows, and captain Lucky Lekgwathi hoisted high the Absa Premiership.
Elusive league crown
One by one, they fell by the wayside, their efforts falling short of staying the course.
In his 508 days in charge, Roger De Sa ran a great race to the final of the Champions League, losing to Al Ahly, but the local league crown proved elusive.
During his 574 days in charge, Eric Tinkler conjured up a commendable chase for the Caf Confederation Cup, only to be beaten by Etoile du Sahel, the local league dololo.
In his second spell, Milutin Sredojevic’s 743-day tenure was peppered with promise. Assisted by Rulani Mokoena, he imprinted an impressive football model infused with an incisive interchange of passes anchored on ball possession and played at precision.
Much as the man called Micho put up a fight, it was not enough to floor Pitso Mosimane’s marauding Mamelodi Sundowns. Sredojevic asked The Ghost to trust the process, pleading for patience, even going as far as christening Pirates a pregnant elephant that would deliver the title.
When it turned out the elephant had a phantom pregnancy, the Serb disembarked the Sea Robbers’ ship under the guise of returning home to care for his sick mother, only to rock up as new coach of Zamalek — with mother miraculously healed.
Kjell Jonevret and Mokwena’s stay lasted 163 and 115 days, respectively. German Josef Zinnbauer lasted 615 day in the hot seat and could not pull it off.
Mixed emotions
The announcement of Ouaddou’s appointment as Riveiro’s replacement ahead of the new season was met with mixed emotions. Unlike the Spaniard, who was unknown before Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza pulled him out of a hat, Ouaddou spent eight games in charge of Marumo Gallants last season when he salvaged the struggling side from the dreaded relegation dog-fight, and led them to a safe 10th place finish.
Though that gave an indication of capacity, including Marumo’s display in a 2-0 defeat of Pirates in Mangaung, the jury is still out on whether he can carry the burden of expectation from the hard-to-please Pirates supporters. There’s little room to breathe given the dual challenge of chasing Champions League glory.
There is no guarantee that, like Riveiro, he will hit the ground running. But if yesterday’s 2-0 MTN8 quarterfinal victory over Polokwane City in his first competitive match as Bucs boss is anything to go by, Ouaddou gave a glimpse of what his version of Pirates will be — “a team that plays with high intensity from the start”, as he articulated in a TV post-match interview.
Across the world, the one feeling fans savour is seeing their teams lift trophies. Riveiro returned that cup-winning culture at Pirates. But the one piece of silverware that soccer supporters worth their salt appreciate more than any other, is the domestic title.
Three times, Riveiro tried to wrestle the holy grail from the grip of the Mamelodi Sundowns mean machine. Thrice he failed.
Over to you, Ouaddou. It’s your turn to run the league race better than Riveiro.
X - @bbkunplugged99
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.