Orlando Pirates’ new head coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, has explained his decision not to bring his own technical team to the Buccaneers.
The Moroccan mentor was surprisingly appointed as the Pirates’ coach after several names, including Rulani Mokwena, were linked to the coaching job at the club.
Ouaddou took over the hot seat after parting ways with Marumo Gallants at the end of last season. He arrived at Gallants halfway through the previous season, saving them from relegation.
At Pirates, he is coming in as a replacement for Jose Riveiro, who left Bucs to take over the helm at Egyptian giants Al Ahly. The Spanish tactician spent three seasons with the Sea Robbers after arriving in South Africa in July 2022. In his spell at Pirates, Riveiro won three MTN8 trophies and two Nedbank Cup titles.
Following Riveiro’s departure, the Soweto giants shocked the football fraternity with the appointment of Ouaddou ahead of the 2025/26 season.
WHAT ABDESLAM SAID ABOUT NOT BRINGING HIS TECHNICAL TEAM TO PIRATES
The former AS Vita Club coach says he didn’t bring his own technical team because he respects the capabilities of the people who are already at Pirates.
Ouaddou will have Mandla Ncikazi and Rayaan Jacobs as his assistant coaches, while Tyron Damons and Helmy Gueldich will serve as goalkeeper coach and conditioning coach, respectively.
“A lot of people are asking why I came alone and didn’t bring my own technical team. Of course, I have the staff I’m working with, maybe five or six people,” Ouaddou said on Pirates TV.
“I came to Marumo Gallants alone, and I came alone here at Pirates. And I’ll explain why, I believe deeply in the competence of Africans.
“And in South Africa, we have people who are competent from big universities, and people have badges here. So, if I bring the people who are working with me, what signal am I giving as an African? He asked.
“Am I saying Africans are not competent? I can tell you that if we take time to profile the right people on our continent, you’ll see that we have competent people, I mean, we have coaches who have won the AFCON before.
“So I’m happy to work with people who are already in the club because they have the legacy, and that will help us to quickly help the club.”
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