Former Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro left the jersey in a better place, having integrated youngsters into the team, won trophies and finished second in the league.
And so, with his successor Abdeslam Ouaddou set to coach the team in his first official game on Saturday, a lot is expected from him.
Ouaddou is expected to hit the ground running from the onset and beat Polokwane City who’ll visit Pirates in the MTN8 quarter-final at Orlando Stadium at 3pm.
Winning the MTN8 became a norm for Pirates in the last three seasons under Riveiro as they beat AmaZulu, Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch in the final.
Newly appointed club captain Nkosinathi Sibisi also admitted they’ll always be a comparison between Riveiro and Ouaddou, but he backs the new dawn to achieve more success.
“I think the comparison will always be there,” Sibisi said. “But as I have said: it’s a new season, new coach, new players and new ideas.
“We are starting off fresh. We are competing against point machines, so it’s for us to try and close the gap as best as we can. And I think that’s possible this season.”
Ouaddou isn’t only expected to build on the foundation that Riveiro laid, but he must also work on certain shortcomings which enable the team to withstand any forces going forward.
These include making sure that the team has enough tools and abilities to go toe-to-toe with Mamelodi Sundowns, who’ve ruled the land for the last eight years, for the title.
But Sibisi, judging from what he’s seen during training and the two-week tour of Marbella, the team, including the new players, is ready to compete this season.
“We play every cup to win it – whether it’s the league, the MTN8, Nedbank Cup, Carling Knockout and the CAF Champions League,” he said.
“Whenever you are signed by a team like Pirates you are obligated to win every trophy. So, they (the fans) have every right to say they want the league.
“A team like Pirates should be challenging. So, I think with the signing that we’ve made and the ideas that the coach has for us, it’s going to be an interesting season.”
Sibisi was impressed with all the new signings, but he also put his head on the block and praised the qualities of striker Yanela Mbuthuma.
“They are quality players, and I can’t pick anyone,” Sibisi initially said. “I think they’ve proven that from their respective clubs where they are coming from.
“We all know their talent – we’ve seen Sipho Mbule and we know Oswin Appollis from the national team. Maybe I was surprised with Mbuthuma – he’s a very good striker.
“The likes of (Tshepang) Moremi are also putting up their hands, and everyone. So, it’s really going to be an interesting season for everyone, once again.”
Sibisi’s job will be cut out for him as well. He has to make sure he’s the link between the players and coaches on and off the pitch.
The 29-year-old is thrilled to have his defensive partner, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, 19, as one of his deputies as that speaks volumes of the direction the club is taking.
“He’s such a brave boy,” Sibisi acknowledged. “I don’t think he fears anything. From the first time he came and joined us, you could see how confident he was in his ability.
“So for him to get such a recognition from the club at an early age, I think it speaks volumes of where the club wants to go – they are looking now and the future.”
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