Orlando Pirates have confirmed the appointment of a new head coach, following the recent departure of Jose Riveiro, who penned a deal with Al Ahly after a successful three-year stint with the Buccaneers.
This change marks the beginning of a new chapter for Pirates as they look to build on the foundation Riveiro laid and achieve new heights. They’ll start by embarking on their third consecutive trip to Spain with their new head coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, at the helm.
The appointment of Ouaddou on Monday, 23 June 2025, puts an end to rumours of Rulani Mokwena returning to the Soweto giants ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Ouaddou’s first foray into SA football came last season when he took charge of Marumo Gallants. He steered the PSL side away from relegation, but his tenure ended in controversy.
Ouaddou resigned at the end of the campaign, citing the club’s alleged failure to honour his agreed-upon salary. Gallants, however, countered that they never received a formal letter of resignation, a claim Ouaddou dismissed, stating there was no need given their purported breach of contract.
The 46-year-old tactician is anticipated to arrive in South Africa later this week. He’ll be joined by an established technical team: Mandla Ncikazi and Rayaan Jacobs will continue in their roles as assistant coaches, alongside Helmy Gueldich as the strength and conditioning coach and Tyron Damons as the goalkeeper coach.
OUADDOU’S BACKROOM STAFF CONFIRMED AT ORLANDO PIRATES
“Orlando Pirates Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Abdeslam Ouaddou as the new Head Coach,” reads the club statement.
“Born in Alnif, Morocco, Ouaddou brings a wealth of experience both as a player and a tactician. A former Moroccan international, Ouaddou earned 68 caps for the Atlas Lions and enjoyed a distinguished playing career across several top European leagues. His deep understanding of the game, coupled with a strong leadership profile, positions him well to lead the Buccaneers into a new era.
“Coach Ouaddou will be assisted by Mandla Ncikazi, Rayaan Jacobs, Helmy Gueldich and Tyron Damons.”
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers are set to kick off their pre-season preparations on June 27, with Ouaddou taking the helm.
As part of their preparations for the upcoming season, Pirates will hold a training camp in Marbella, Spain, from July 8 to July 20. During this international pre-season tour, they’ll face several European clubs in friendly matches, including Bolton Wanderers [England], Pafos FC [Cyprus], Las Palmas [Spain], and Granada [Spain].
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