Christiaan Bezuidenhout: The lone South African flying the flag at the Presidents Cup again

Abdeslam Ouaddou, the coach of Orlando Pirates, has learned an important lesson about South African football. His discovery is not one found in any coaching manual but rather a rule that must be experienced firsthand. Ouaddou has taken a firm stance against showboating, insisting on efficiency, goals, and smart decision-making from his players.

He recognizes the distinction between using skill to advance the ball forward and performing tricks purely for show. The challenge for Ouaddou is that South African football has not always valued the separation of flair from identity. In the past, when coaches like Stuart Baxter, Pitso Mosimane, Manqoba Mngqithi, and Rulani Mokwena secured league titles, their players were more inclined to indulge in entertaining displays once they had already achieved victory.

Mosimane, in particular, spoke out against unnecessary showboating after Mamelodi Sundowns won the league in 2017. Ouaddou now finds himself at the center of a familiar debate on South African football. He argues that league winners are entitled to set the tone for how football should be played but must do so with authority backed by results.

Ouaddou's challenge is to convince his players when to juggle, dribble, entertain, and most importantly, score goals. If Pirates can consistently win the Betway Premiership and perform well in Africa, Ouaddou will gain the right to dictate the playing style that leads to those trophies. In South African football, success not only brings trophies but also a powerful platform to influence how those victories are achieved. Ouaddou is learning this valuable lesson.