Abdeslam Ouaddou believes Orlando Pirates’ young squad is making significant progress despite their 2-0 MTN8 final defeat by Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
The result gave Sundowns some revenge for their 2024-25 Nedbank Cup final loss and followed Pirates’ ending of their eight-season Betway Premiership title run last season. Teboho Mokoena opened the scoring after 12 minutes before Ronwen Williams saved Gamphani Lungu’s penalty in the 62nd minute. Iqraam Rayners added Sundowns’ second from the spot five minutes into added time.
The victory denied Pirates a fifth successive MTN8 title, although Ouaddou felt his side had again competed strongly against the Caf Champions League holders. Both coaches described the match as being played at “Champions League level”, with Sundowns counterpart Miguel Cardoso calling the finalists “the two best teams in the country”.
One of the positives for Pirates was 23-year-old central defender Lebone Seema, who made his Bafana Bafana debut in a 1-0 friendly victory over Egypt last Sunday. Seema impressed against a near full-strength Egypt, keeping Tottenham Hotspur and former Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush quiet, before producing another assured display against Sundowns’ attack.
Ouaddou, who won more than 60 caps for Morocco during a 17-year club career in France, England, Greece and Qatar, said Seema’s improvement had been driven by his professionalism and willingness to learn.
“First of all, you need to work, daily work; to listen. You need to be coachable. And he’s a fantastic boy,” he said. “He accepts, sometimes, being criticised. He listens and he progresses.”
The coach said Seema had learned to combine attractive distribution with the practicality required from a defender.
“Sometimes it’s not a shame if you have to put the ball in the stands because you want to keep the clean sheet,” he said. “It’s part of your job.”
Ouaddou added: “Step by step, he became a real high-level defender. And I am sure there is room to be even better and I predict a great, great, great future for him if he continues to work.”
Seema is part of a recent Pirates production line that includes Lyle Foster, Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Relebohile Mofokeng, who is impressing in Belgium. Cemran Dansin, Mpho Padime and Neo Rapoo are also regarded as promising prospects.
Ouaddou was also encouraged by Simphiwe Selepe, 22, 21-year-old Siphiwe Masilela, Thapelo Mokobodi, 23, and substitute Kabelo Kgosietsile. He praised Thalente Mbatha’s return from injury and said Pirates would now focus on the Carling Knockout, Nedbank Cup, Champions League and defending their league title.
Orlando Pirates begin their Champions League campaign this weekend with a two-legged group-stage qualifier against Angola’s Wiliete SC. They will hope to improve on last season’s exit at this stage and match or surpass their 2024-25 semi-final appearance.
