Abdeslam Ouaddou lands in SA as Pirates kick off new era
Abdeslam Ouaddou has officially touched down in South Africa, setting the stage for a bold new era at Orlando Pirates ahead of the 2025/2026 season.
The Moroccan tactician, unveiled on Monday as the successor to Jose Riveiro, arrived from France to begin pre-season duties with the Buccaneers. Abdeslam takes charge at a pivotal moment as Pirates gear up for a gruelling domestic campaign and a return to the CAF Champions League.
Ouaddou wasted no time getting started. He will now work alongside his technical team, which features Mandla Ncikazi, Rayaan Jacobs, Helmi Gueldich, and Tyron Damons, as they begin the integration process at Mayfair.
The club confirmed that the next 48 hours will focus on internal integration and detailed player assessments. Laying the foundation for full training sessions set to begin next week.
'The coach has landed and is looking forward to starting in his new role. It's an exciting new chapter for him,' revealed the source.
With their sights firmly set on silverware and continental success. Pirates will travel to Marbella, Spain, from 8 to 20 July for a high-intensity international training camp.
During their time in Europe, the Buccaneers will face off in elite friendlies against Bolton Wanderers (England), Pafos FC (Cyprus), Las Palmas and Granada (Spain). A testing pre-season fixture list that promises to sharpen the squad ahead of the competitive calendar.
Ouaddou's arrival signals a fresh tactical approach and renewed ambitions for Orlando Pirates. With CAF Champions League football returning to the club and expectations running high. The new coach's vision will be put to the test from day one.
Can Abdeslam Ouaddou lead Pirates to league glory next season?
Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Mbule in, Maema next? Pirates raid Sundowns again
Orlando Pirates are reportedly interested in signing another Mamelodi Sundowns star. The Buccaneers already snatched up Sipho Mbule after the midfielder parted ways with the Tshwane giants. The player that the Sea Robbers are looking at is Neo Maema. The 29-year-old midfielder only played eight league matches last season and will be eyeing a move away to get more game time. Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is a big fan of the Sundowns star and is no surpise that Maema is linked with him. Soccer Laduma revealed that the Buccaneers enquired on the Bafana Bafana midfielder before even signing Sipho Mbule. 'Yes, the club is believed to have made enquiries about Maema. Actually he was the first one even before Sipho Mbule. It has to be seen what will be the next move because apparently he still has one year on his contract with Sundowns. And Kaizer Chiefs are also believed to be interested in him,' the insider told Soccer Laduma. Another insider said that the Sundows star might think of an opportunity of playing for Pirates and getting regular game time. 'At the moment the player also seems to he looking at the opportunity of moving away from Sundowns to go and play regularly somewhere. It could be at Orlando Pirates or Kaizer Chiefs depending on which club really needs him. But the player apparently just wants to play regularly,' the second source told the same publication. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Pictures spotted: New Orlando Pirates superstar
Popular Betway Premiership side, Orlando Pirates, have announced eight new players. The names are Yanela Mbuthuma, Masindi Nemtajela, Tshepang Moremi, Nkosikhona Ndaba, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Tshepo Mashiloane, Sihle Nduli and of course Sipho Mbule. The first time, the former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Mbule has now been spotted in Orlando Pirates colours. Mbule and his new teammates reported for medical and fitness tests ahead of the club's pre-season training camp in Spain. Revealed: New Chiefs star was wanted Sundowns and Pirates Sipho Mbule takes his medical test as a new Orlando Pirates player. Image: orlandopirates/Instagram Orlando Pirates player told to thank ancestors and God Makhehleni Makhaula Thalente Mbatha Simphiwe Selepe Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo Goodman Mosele Selaelo Rasebotja Sipho Mbule Sihle Nduli Masindi Nemtajela Abdoulaye Mariko *Kabelo Dlamini plays most games as an attacking midfielder/number 10. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
How serious is Siya Kolisi's injury?
The Springboks scored eight tries to one as they opened their season with a 54-7 victory against the Barbarians on Saturday, but now more serious attention will turn to their first Test of the year against Italy, with the hope that Siya Kolisi will be fit and ready to lead the team. Kolisi had to be withdrawn from the team against the Barbarians due to an injury niggle, although the good news is that this was a precautionary measure. 'We always try to give players the best opportunity to be 100 percent on Saturday, but Siya has a stiff neck,' assistant coach Mzwandile Stick stated on the eve of the season-opener. 'There is no need for us to take a risk… But we don't want to push Siya.' After the Barbarians clash, Rassie Erasmus confirmed that the Springbok teams for their upcoming two Tests against Italy, starting with this Saturday's clash in Pretoria, have already been pencilled in. Erasmus added: 'We won't get carried away with this performance because we have to take into account the other guys. Certainly some guys showed us that they can do it at this level, but we'll layer them in to make sure there's a balance. 'I think guys like Damian [de Allende], Jesse [Kriel] are a bit undercooked. Kurt-Lee [Arendse] hasn't really played in a lot of matches either in Japan or didn't come back to the Bulls.' Pieter-Steph du Toit, who hasn't played since November following shoulder surgery, could make his comeback in the second Italy Test at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
