Abdeslam Ouaddou backs Orlando Pirates to achieve legendary status with 'Operation Vat Alles'

Orlando Pirates’ coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has backed his troops to succeed in Operation Vat Alles (Operation Take Everything) this season, and earn legendary status at the club at the end of their respective stints.

Pirates have arguably been the best team in domestic football this season, winning the two trophies up for grabs in the first half of the campaign: the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout.

The Sea Robbers are not done. They want to clinch the Betway Premiership title and Nedbank Cup at the end of the season, completing an unprecedented quadruple in domestic football.

The Buccaneers are putting their money where their mouth is. They are on top of the log standings in the league with a three-point lead over the champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who have a game in hand.

The Ouaddou era has showcased a hungry and determined side this season, with newcomers having instantly blended with the seniors. In turn, the Ghost haven’t disappointed, filling up the stands to rally behind the team, especially at home.

Almst referencing the club's history – having won back-to-back trebles in 2010/11 and 2011/12  seasons – Ouaddou is convinced that the players’ character will take them to the promised land, leaving an enduring mark at the club.

“I usually say to the players that when you are playing for such a big club as Pirates, you want to be remembered as a legend at the end of your career,” Ouaddou stated. “Otherwise, you have a chance to spend years at the club, but if you don’t win anything, sometimes that’s a problem.

“So, to be remembered and make history at the club, you have to put your name in the club, and to do that, you need to win titles. These are the expectations for the players who are at Pirates.

“They mustn’t come to Pirates just to tick the box, train, and enjoy the good life, only to win nothing at the end of the season. Pirates need ambitious players that can help us. We have them. I am very happy about that.”

Pirates’ quadruple aspirations took a slight knock midweek, losing 2-1 to Sundowns in a top-of-the-table clash at FNB Stadium. But they can’t afford to drop their heads as they’ll face Casric Stars in the Nedbank Cup last-16 at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday (6pm kick-off) before clashing with Kaizer Chiefs in the league next Saturday at the Calabash.

Granted, the Soweto derby is the sought-after match, given its magnitude and Wednesday’s defeat, but Ouaddou has asked for total focus on the clash against Casric as that is integral to their quadruple aspirations.

“They simply need to have a professional mind,” Ouaddou said. “When you have a focused and competitive team, I think it’s easier for the coach.

“Personally, the most important game for me now is against Casric. If I start to think and prepare for the game against Kaizer Chiefs – which, nonetheless, will be very important – it means we’ll undermine Casric, and we don’t want that.”

With Casric being the second First National Division team that Pirates will face in the competition after beating Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 4-1 in the opening round, Ouaddou explained how they have planned for the two clashes.

“I cannot say that it’s tough to prepare for those matches,” Ouaddou said. “First of all, we have a process with our analyst department. We have competent people who are working hard to get the most available information for the technical staff for analysis.

“We can be able to analyse the shape, the philosophy, and how they execute their defensive and offensive tactics.

“For Casric, we have already started to profile them, so it’ll be very important to win that game and go through to the next phase.”

*Mihlali Baleka is Independent Media's senior football reporter and a panelist on the group's soccer podcast, The D-Line, which is exclusive on our YouTube channel The Clutch