{
  "id": 7781821,
  "title": "EXCLUSIVE | ‘It’s unsettling’: Former Pirates captain Lekgwathi reacts to Ouaddou’s latest exit threat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/exclusive-its-unsettling-former-pirates-captain-lekgwathi-reacts-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-16T12:03:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/sport/soccer/psl/2026-09-16-exclusive-its-unsettling-pirates-legend-lekgwathi-reacts-to-ouaddous-latest-exit-threat/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi has expressed that Abdeslam Ouaddou's latest threat to leave the club is \"unsettling\", especially after the coach raised concerns about his future at the end of last season. The Moroccan coach made headlines again after Pirates' CAF Champions League win over La Cure Waves on Saturday. Unsatisfied with his team's diminished intensity following Ouaddou's dominant play, he threatened to \"pack my luggage\" if the players persisted in their showboating. This is not the first time Ouaddou has publicly hinted at leaving the club. After leading Pirates to the Betway Premiership title last season, he confessed to feeling exhausted and needing to consider his future. He even attempted to resign following the team's loss of their opening two league matches, but the club managed to persuade him to stay. Speaking to IOL Sport, Lekgwathi, who once captained the team to one of its most successful periods, shared that the latest comments will understandably worry fans. \"As a fan of the club, I don’t like to see that obviously, it’s unsettling but we are all human with emotions. I used to say things as captain and later regret them and that’s a part of learning leadership and I hope he really learns to know what not to say in the media and in the changeroom.\" Despite his worries, Lekgwathi emphasized that the Moroccan coach continues to have the backing of Pirates' supporters. \"Just like every fan, we are backing him and we know he’ll help the team win again.\" Ouaddou's discontent stems from what he sees as a lack of seriousness among certain players, particularly when they attempt to showboat rather than seal games. However, Lekgwathi suggested the coach should not try to strip players of their characteristic flair, as it has historically been a defining trait of Pirates. \"My advice to him about showboating would be for him to embrace it because it’s a part of us but also it’s important to look at the time and the score when players decide to do that because it used to help us in moments, whether to switch momentum of the game or ease pressure off us.\" For Lekgwathi, the real issue lies not in eliminating flair but teaching players when it is appropriate to use it. His remarks also serve as a timely reminder that Ouaddou's future uncertainty has resurfaced, this time following Pirates' CAF Champions League victory that secured their progression in the tournament. Lekgwathi remains confident that the coach can steer the Buccaneers forward despite the ongoing speculation.",
  "summary": "Former Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi says Abdeslam Ouaddou’s latest warning about leaving the club is concerning, but backs the coach to lead the Buccaneers forward.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}