With the new Betway Premiership season about to kick off, football talk in South Africa is heating up — and Arthur Zwane is keeping a close eye on a particular rival.
The former Kaizer Chiefs head coach, now in charge at AmaZulu, believes the Orlando Pirates are shaping up to be one of the toughest teams to beat this season.
Impressed by Pirates’ New Coach
Zwane has been especially struck by the arrival of Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who joined the Buccaneers in June.
The new boss wasted no time making an impact, winning his first match in charge against Polokwane City in the MTN8 last weekend.
“Trust me, it’s going to be tough to compete against this Pirates team,” Zwane told the media.
“They’re building an identity, and the coach is already doing well by continuing where Jose left off.”
The Importance of Continuity
For Zwane, Ouaddou’s approach is exactly how football should be — maintaining continuity even with a change in leadership.
“It’s what we’re trying to do at AmaZulu as well,” he explained.
“That way, even if I’m not around, the next person can still compete, develop, and sell players. Coaches don’t stay too long for many reasons, so having that structure is key.”
Chiefs and Pirates Gear Up for the Season
Both Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have made significant changes to strengthen their squads in hopes of dethroning reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Buccaneers have been the busiest in the transfer market, bringing in 12 new players, while the Amakhosi have signed six so far.
Will This Be Pirates’ Season?
With a fresh tactical approach, a new coach, and a bolstered squad, many are wondering if this could finally be the year Pirates take the league crown.
But with Sundowns’ consistent dominance, the battle for top honours promises to be fierce.
