Orlando Pirates are unbeaten in the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season and Sekhukhune United head coach Papi Zothwane says their performances is down to all-round quality.
Pirates have beaten Sekhukhune four times this season across all competitions, with another league fixture still to come, scoring seven goals and conceding none in the process.
The latest win came in the Carling Knockout Cup, where the 1-0 win in Orlando booked a place in the semi-final of the competition against Stellenbosch FC.
“My opinion? Pirates has many quality players – as a coach, you always know you will find it difficult to challenge them pound for pound, you always have to play them, knowing their strengths, because offensively they are a threat,” he said.
“You can’t be naive and play Pirates with high press, leaving space [in behind] you always have to be cautious, but again I say, it goes to the players, when they playing Pirates, do they respect the players more than themselves.”
Since the appointment of Abdeslam Ouaddou at the Buccaneers, they have become a self-proclaimed points machine in the league, despite opening his spell at the club with back-to-back defeats to Sekhukhune and Marumo Gallants – since then it’s been near perfection for the Moroccan.
The next 37 matches in charge has brought 29 wins, seven draws and only one defeat between winning their first league title since 2012, with 78 goals scored and only 11 conceded.
“If you are playing Pirates, you have to think about your team, your plans, what you want to do – you can’t be preaching about the threat always and not thinking about what we can do, our talent, execute the defined roles you must play,” he continued.
“Maybe it’s overthinking and anxiety for players sometimes, but it depends on the game and the plans for us as coaches – and the players. But they are a quality team and personally, for me? I feel we have players that can go pound for pound with Pirates, compete and win matches. It’s just unfortunate, when we come here, it’s always difficult to win.”
Overall, Ouaddou has overseen 63 games at the Soweto giants, with 48 wins, nine draws and six defeats across all competitions, with the league, MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup titles to his name so far.