Table topping Pirates now need focus and humility

Orlando Pirates might be on top of the Betway Premiership after their weekend win over Durban City but coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is preaching focus and humility.

Ouaddou says getting to the top of the standings was always a target for his team.

“I think any coach at such a big club, it's his target. So, of course, it was our target, not only mine, but it's a collective work. I'm not working alone. It's the objective.”

But the Pirates boss warned there was still much work to do.

“Like I’ve said before, it's a good thing to reach at halfway point of the season in top position, but the most difficult is to stay in that position, and to stay in that position, we have to keep working, to stay humble, because there are a lot of very good sides, very good teams in the PSL.

“The level is very high. And if you are not focused, if you stop walking, if you think that you have already won the title, it can be very difficult, so I’m pressing my players to keep focused, to keep working, because this PSL is at a very high level. It's one of the best, if not, the best in Africa.”

Ouaddou’s tenure at Pirates started with two successive league defeats but his club have not lost in the Betway Premiership since then and after 12 rounds lead champions Mamelodi Sundowns by three points.

“When you start a new project, with a lot of new players, people have to adapt to your ideas, to your game model,” the coach added.

“Sometimes it takes time, but I'm happy that the guys now understand what I'm looking for, and it's good for us. It's good for the players. It gives us trust, it gives us confidence for the rest of the season. But like I told you, it's not finished, we still have five months, so let's keep focus. Let's keep working hard in order to reach our target.”

Pirates do not play another league game until mid-January but on Saturday take on Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout final.