Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says that patience and belief throughout a demanding campaign ultimately paid off as the Soweto giants were crowned Betway Premiership champions.

Pirates needed a win against Orbit College to secure the league title as they went into their final match two points behind Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Buccaneers went on to secure the title after claiming a 2-0 win thanks to two own goals from Sabelo Nkomo and Ndumiso Ngiba in Mbombela.

Ouaddou described Pirates’ long-awaited Betway Premiership triumph as an emotional moment for the club’s supporters across South Africa, praising his players, the club and the Buccaneers faithful after ending a 14-year wait for league glory.

“I think it’s a great, big moment for Orlando community for the fans, I think they have been waiting for a long time 14 years it’s a lot. I think we have to credit to our boys today that fight to make them happy so I have a thought for all the lovers of Pirates in all South Africa,” Ouaddou told SuperSport after the game.

“They have been fantastic all season, supporting us, it was not easy season. Credit has to be given the players, club and for me I’m a happy man. I’m a happy man today to bring the joy today to million of people here, I think they deserved it.

“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 it 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.”