Former Orlando Pirates winger Tlou Segolela has explained what fuelled coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s historic treble-winning campaign in his debut season with the Soweto giants.
The Moroccan tactician took over the coaching reins at the Buccaneers at the beginning of the just-ended 2025/26 PSL campaign following the departure of Spanish mentor Jose Riveiro.
Riveiro left a lasting legacy at Pirates, having won five major titles during his tenure. His impressive trophy cabinet with the Sea Robbers consisted of three consecutive MTN8 titles—making history as the first coach to achieve that feat—and two Nedbank Cup trophies.
Despite the massive shoes to fill, Ouaddou defied expectations. In the 2025/26 season, Pirates re-established their absolute dominance in South African football by securing a remarkable domestic treble.
The Buccaneers lifted their first Betway Premiership title in 14 years, successfully ending Mamelodi Sundowns’ eight-year dominance on the PSL crown. To top it off, Ouaddou’s charges clinched the MTN8 title and the Carling Knockout Cup to complete a historic treble-winning campaign.
TLOU SEGOLELA ON WHAT WORKED OUT FOR ABDESLAM OUADDOU’S SUCCESS AT PIRATES
Speaking to FARPost, ‘Gautrain’ admitted that Ouaddou arrived under immense scrutiny given the high expectations from the club’s demanding fan base.
“Well, you can tell that Pirates is a very demanding team in terms of results. So, coach Ouaddou came in with pressure, you know,” Segolela said.
“Most of the fans didn’t know much about him, and he was taking over from Jose Riveiro, the coach who had been winning trophies and chasing Mamelodi Sundowns.
“So, the fans were asking themselves questions: ‘Did we really make a good move in hiring coach Ouaddou in terms of carrying on from what Riveiro left off?’ But the truth is that it is not how you start the season; it is how you finish the season that is very important.”
THE DRESSING ROOM ATMOSPHERE UNDER OUADDOU
Segolela went on to highlight that the former Moroccan international’s man-management skills, passion, and communication as the driving forces behind the team’s clean sweep.
“You can tell that the coach, Ouaddou, is very passionate. He engages with the players. You can tell there’s a lot of communication in the dressing room. There’s a positive atmosphere that he has brought into the team. When a new player arrives, he shows he wants to play for the team,” he added.
“I think the club made the right acquisition by bringing coach Ouaddou in. But will he continue with what he has started to take us further? Because now, it’s not a secret; all we want is the CAF Champions League.”
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