Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and midfielder Masindi Nemtajela have finally responded to public perceptions that the player receives preferential treatment from his coach.
Both Nemtajela and Ouaddou arrived at the Buccaneers at the beginning of the 2025/26 season, albeit at different times.
The pair had previously worked together at Marumo Gallants during the 2024/25 campaign.
Ouaddou parted ways with Gallants at the end of that season, while Nemtajela secured his switch to Pirates ahead of the new campaign.
Addressing the period where Nemtajela was playing consistently and rarely being substituted, Ouaddou explained that his hands were tied due to an injury to Thalente Mbatha.
Despite external pressure from fans who clamoured for Mbatha’s inclusion, the coach maintained that it was simply impossible to field the midfielder while he was sidelined.
“People were saying that Nemtanjela is my son, all players are my sons, they are my brothers, I love them, but Mbatha was injured,” said Ouaddou on Bucs Camp.
“What must I do? Will I bring a player from the clinic and put him on the field because some fans like him? I’m sorry.”
Meanwhile, a visibly emotional Nemtajela admitted that he was left feeling confused at times, believing he was performing well in matches only to face persistent criticism from fans who continued to clamour for the injured Mbatha.
“Actually, this started when I played against Mamelodi Sundowns, you know that we have [online] analysts now,” said Nemtajela.
“They talked that he’s not subbed out and they compared me [with Mbatha]. That was a bit light then, and then next we played Casric and I did well. After that game, people started sending me DM’s, attacking me.
“I sat with my partner, and I went to my family. My parents told me you’re a man now and you said you want to play football. You’re playing for Pirates, not everyone will like you, you’re not money.
“If you look at it, I wasn’t playing much in the early stages of the season, and everyone – new signings played.
“I got one chance; I grabbed it and won hearts of my coaches and management. So, there was this thing that I was usually not being subbed out, and I feel that’s what many felt I’m a coach’s favourite.
“But when I came to Pirates, I came alone, I didn’t even know that coach Ouaddou would come. He came after me there, there’s no favouritism, we’re not that close. I won’t say he’s my father. He’s my coach, just like other players.”
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