Abdeslam Ouaddou urges Orlando Pirates players to stay grounded after Carling Cup success

The Moroccan says that sustained success will depend on how the Buccaneers respond after adding yet another trophy to their cabinet.

The win marked the club’s third trophy of the campaign, following earlier success in the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout.

While the achievement further underlined Pirates’ status as one of the most consistent sides in the country, Ouaddou was quick to shift the narrative away from silverware and towards the work that still lies ahead.

The coach emphasised that success at Pirates is driven by structure and expectation, not emotion, describing the latest trophy as a natural outcome of a club that understands its objectives.

“It’s a club with ambition that knows what it wants. This trophy is a reward for everyone involved,” Ouaddou told SuperSport TV after the match. 

Rather than allowing the squad to dwell on their achievements, Ouaddou revealed that his focus has already turned to the demanding second half of the season, which he expects to test the team both physically and mentally.

He acknowledged the importance of celebrating milestones but warned that Pirates’ toughest challenges are still to come as pressure increases across competitions.

“We will celebrate, but we must remember that the next part of the season will be the most difficult,” he added.

With expectations rising alongside results, Ouaddou’s message to his squad is that trophies are earned through consistency, and the true measure of Pirates’ season will be how they build on this moment rather than bask in it.