Mbombela – Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou could barely contain his joy after guiding the Buccaneers to their first Betway Premiership title in 14 years, following a 2-0 win over ORBIT College FC at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
The victory saw Pirates leapfrog defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the log on the final day of the season, sending the Orlando faithful into a frenzy after years of near misses.
Speaking to SuperSport TV after the final whistle in Mbombela, the Moroccan coach said the moment belonged to the club’s supporters. 
“I think it’s a great, big moment for the Orlando community, for the fans. I think they have been waiting for a long time, 14 years is a lot,” he said.
Ouaddou was quick to credit his players and the club for what he described as a difficult but rewarding season.
“We have to give credit to our boys today, they fought to make them happy so I have a thought for all the lovers of Pirates in all South Africa. They have been fantastic all season, supporting us, it was not an easy season,” he said.
“Credit has to be given to the players, the club and for me I’m a happy man. I’m a happy man today to bring joy to millions of people here, they deserved it,” he added.
The coach also reflected on the patience he had asked of supporters at the start of the campaign, saying the points dropped along the way were never cause for panic.
“I was saying to the people at the beginning of the season, just be patient. People will say that we dropped points, but many teams dropped points and you can see that this point that we dropped was not a dropped point, it was a good point and today you can see the title and I’m happy for the Orlando community,” he said.
The result also confirmed the relegation of ORBIT College FC, who made an immediate return to the Motsepe Foundation Championship having only won promotion to the top flight at the end of the 2024/25 season.
