"Without trust of your management, it's difficult," says Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou

Ouaddou had big shoes to fill at Pirates as he replaced former head coach Jose Riveiro, who led the club to five trophies in his three years in charge.

After starting the new season with two defeats, there were early calls for Ouaddou's head, but the Moroccan mentor has since steadied the ship.

He guided his side to a fourth successive MTN8 title, and alongside their progression in the Champions League, Bucs are unbeaten in their last 11 games in all comptitions.

Pirates most recently saw off Siwelele 1-0 in the Carling Knockout first round, before the international break, and are next in action away to Democratic Republic of Congo Lupopo in the first of two legs.

Ahead of the weekend encounter, Ouaddou said in the Citizen: "I just trust the work that I am doing, the values that I'm putting in my work, the love that I'm putting in my job, the love that I'm putting on my players.

“And what is important as well is the trust — the trust of my club, you know, because without trust of your management, about the board, it's difficult. So, I thank them for that, for the trust.”