Abdeslam Ouaddou full of praise as Orlando Pirates scoop Betway Premiership title

Ouaddou's side needed a win from their final Betway Premiership match of the 2025/26 season and they recorded a 2-0 rout over Orbit College at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

The victory for Bucs meant that they moved above Mamelodi Sundowns on the league standings, to end the Brazilians' eight-year dominance, while also relegating the Mswenko Boys after just one season in the South African top-flight.

Reflecting on the significance of winning the league, the former Marumo Gallants boss lauded his players.

"I think it's a great, big moment for the Orlando community, for the fans. I think they have been waiting for a long time, 14 years is a lot,” Ouaddou said on SuperSport after the game.

"We have to give credit to our boys today, they fought to make them happy so I have a thought for all the lovers of Pirates in all South Africa. They have been fantastic all season, supporting us, it was not an easy season.

"Credit has to be given to the players, the club and for me I'm a happy man. I'm a happy man today to bring joy to millions of people here, they deserved it."

"I was saying to the people at the beginning of the season, just be patient. People will say that we dropped points, but many teams dropped points and you can see that this point that we dropped was not a dropped point, it was a good point and today you can see the title and I'm happy for the Orlando community,” added Ouaddou.

The Bucs boss did, however, admit that he was also feeling tired from the demands of a relentless season as he also guided Pirates to MTN8 and Carling Knockout success.

"I work with passion, I work with love and it's difficult to lead such a big team like Orlando Pirates. It was a very difficult season and I'm tired, I'm very very tired," added the Bucs boss.

"To be able to lead such a ship you need to be. I will sit and I will think - sit down with my management as well. I'm tired, we'll speak about next season, about what can happen.

"I need energy, I need power. Without energy. It will be difficult to continue. We will sit. I'm speaking with emotions. It was a long season with lots of pressure. And we'll speak, we will see."