The reality of the situation facing Abdeslam Ouaddou is that he must now take the load of inspiring Orlando Pirates out of the mud on the shoulders of his lanky frame after a slow start.
Those that had doubts bordering on his personality will feel justified with what has unfolded so far.
READ | Defining markers for Mofokeng in new campaign
Yet the Moroccan-Frenchman still has it all to prove that he can handle this job and continue with what Jose Riveiro did.
To do that, he has to dust off the doubts about him and be seen as carrying the inspiration whip.
"We are doing the job for that," says Ouaddou when asked about having it in him to take Pirates forward after this difficult start.
"Every day when we wake up, the only target is to make the best and give the best of ourselves to make the best training for our players, the best strategy for our club.
"So, every day when we wake up, it is to better and better,” says Ouaddou.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Soweto giants, who have Mamelodi Sundowns visiting Orlando Stadium for the first leg of the MTN8 semi-finals.
"We are here to work, improve ourselves every day.
READ | The truth about Saleng’s return to football
"The pressure when you train such a big club, the pressure is everywhere, and we have to transform it into positive pressure in order to bring back the victories.
"It is important to be positive with the players and try to give them the trust and it is our job to keep believing in the players," he says.
Ouaddou is only three games old in the head coach job at Bucs, which started with victory against Polokwane City in the MTN8 quarterfinals before defeats against Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants.
Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images
