Latest news with #MandlaNcikazi
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Pirates' Ncikazi stresses importance of good pre-season
'Last season's group played 52 matches—that kind of workload is only manageable with a well-planned preseason,' said the Pirates assistant coach. Mandla Ncikazi says Orlando Pirates need to prepare well for a tough season ahead. Picture: Alche Greeff/BackpagePix Orlando Pirates arrived in Spain on Tuesday ahead of their pre-season camp. ALSO READ: Shabalala lauds 'healthy competition' in Chiefs camp The Buccaneers assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi says that Pirates must plan well ahead of another busy campaign. Pirates' Ncikazi – 'All systems go' 'Today is about recovery, but from tomorrow it's all systems go,' said Ncikazi on Tuesday. 'The upcoming season will be tough, so our preparation must cover all possible scenarios. 'Last season's group played 52 matches—that kind of workload is only manageable with a well-planned preseason. 'We have a new crop of players that we need to integrate into the group as quickly as possible.' Pirates have certainly been busy in the transfer market ahead of the new campaign. Sipho Mbule, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Tshepo Mashiloane, Oswin Appollis, Nkosikhona Ndaba, Tshepang Moremi, Sihle Nduli and Yanela Mbuthuma have all joined the Buccaneers fold. Pirates are in camp in Spain's coastal town of Marbella. The Bucs' Spanish schedule Pirates will play English side Bolton Wanderers on Friday, and will then take on Cypriot outfit Pafos FC on July 13. ALSO READ: Ellis happy as Banyana beat the heat and Ghana The Buccaneers will then take on Spanish second division side Las Palmas on July 17, before taking on another Spanish second-tier side – Granada – on July 19.
The Herald
23-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Abdeslam Ouaddou is Orlando Pirates' new coach
'Born in Alnif, Morocco, the 46-year-old brings a wealth of experience both as a player and a tactician. 'A former Morocco 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, who is expected to arrive in South Africa towards the end of the week, will be assisted by Mandla Ncikazi and Rayaan Jacobs, Helmi Gueldich and Tyron Damons.' Pirates also confirmed their preseason tour destination and friendly fixtures in Europe. 'Preseason preparations will officially kick off on June 27. As part of preparations for the upcoming campaign, Pirates will embark on their third consecutive international preseason tour to Marbella, Spain. 'The training camp, from July 8 to July 20, will see the team engage in high-level friendly matches against European opponents including Bolton Wanderers (England), Pafos FC (Cyprus), Las Palmas (Spain) and Granada (Spain).'
News24
23-06-2025
- Sport
- News24
Orlando Pirates announce new coach, and it is not Rulani Mokwena
Ouaddou resigned from Marumo Gallants last month after helping them survive relegation. Pirates will embark on a tour to Spain in July. New players are expected to travel with the team. The speculation is over, and Rulani Mokwena is not going back to Orlando Pirates. On Monday, Pirates announced Abdeslam Ouaddou as their head coach, putting an end to rumours about Mokwena rejoining the club. The 46-year-old Moroccan takes over the reins ahead of the new season, replacing Jose Riveiro, who has since moved to Egyptian giants Al Ahly. According to the club statement, the former Marumo Gallants coach, who is expected to arrive back in the country towards the end of the week, will be assisted by Mandla Ncikazi and Rayaan Jacobs, Helmi Gueldich and Tyron Damons. Ouaddou announced his exit from Gallants last month after helping them survive relegation. However, the club later denied he had tendered his resignation. Now with the new coach in the bag, Pirates are ready to begin their preseason tour of Europe in preparation for the new season. After a record-breaking domestic campaign, finishing second in the Betway Premiership, winning the MTN8, and reaching the CAF Champions League semi-finals, Pirates are set to travel for their third consecutive international pre-season tour to Marbella, Spain. The training camp, which will run from 8 July to 20 July, will play a vital role in finalising preparations ahead of the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season. As they've done in the past two years, Pirates will use the tour to integrate new signings, test tactical variations and expose Diski Challenge graduates who impressed in the closing stages of last season to high-level opposition, which offers the perfect opportunity to accelerate their development in a more demanding environment. Pre-season fixtures The Buccaneers will face four competitive opponents during their Spanish stay: 11 July – Bolton Wanderers (England): A mid-table side from England's League One, Bolton are known for their physical style. They finished with 20 wins, 8 draws, and 18 losses in a 46-game campaign. 13 July – Pafos FC (Cyprus): Fresh off a historic season, Pafos won their first-ever Cypriot league title, were cup runners-up, and reached the UEFA Conference League Round of 16. 17 July – UD Las Palmas (Spain): Despite being relegated from La Liga after finishing 19th with 32 points, Las Palmas bring elite Spanish tactical sharpness and technical skill. 19 July – Granada CF (Spain): A narrowly missed promotion playoff saw Granada finish 7th in Spain's Segunda División. The club has since undergone a managerial change and will provide a tactical test for Pirates. New additions The Buccaneers have bolstered their ranks with several off-season signings, most of whom are expected to feature during the pre-season. New arrivals Sihle Nduli (central midfielder) – Stellenbosch FC Kabelo Kgositsile (winger) – Baroka FC Tshepo Mashiloane (right-back) – Baroka FC Masindi Nemtajela (central midfielder) – Marumo Gallants Sinoxolo Kwayiba (attacking midfielder) – Chippa United Nkosikhona Ndaba (defender) – Richards Bay FC Yanela Mbuthuma (forward) – Richards Bay FC Tshepang Moremi (winger) – AmaZulu FC.
News24
23-06-2025
- Sport
- News24
Orlando Pirates announce former Moroccan international as new head coach
Orlando Pirates have officially confirmed the appointment of former Morocco international Abdeslam Ouaddou as the club's new head coach, marking the start of a new chapter ahead of the 2025/26 season. The 46-year-old tactician replaces their former Spanish mentor, Jose Riveiro, who stepped down following a successful three-year tenure to take up a new challenge with Egyptian giants Al Ahly. The Buccaneers were linked with bringing back Rulani Mokwena to the fold after his stint with Wydad Casablanca but have again opted not to appoint a local coach. 'Born in Alnif, Morocco, the 46-year-old 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,' the Buccaneers revealed in a statement. Pirates added that Ouaddou, who is expected to arrive in South Africa towards the end of the week, will be assisted by Mandla Ncikazi and Rayaan Jacobs, Helmi Gueldich and Tyron Damons. Pre-season preparations will officially kick off on 27 June.
The Citizen
23-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Pirates announce surprise new head coach!
'Coach Ouaddou ... will be assisted by Mandla Ncikazi and Rayaan Jacobs, Helmi Gueldich and Tyron Damons,' said Pirates in a brief statement. Orlando Pirates on Monday announced that they have appointed Moroccan Abdelsam Ouaddou as their new head coach. The news comes as a surprise, with many reporting that Rulani Mokwena was going to take over at the helm of the Buccaneeers. 'Coach Ouaddou, who is expected to arrive in South Africa towards the end of the week, will be assisted by Mandla Ncikazi and Rayaan Jacobs, Helmi Gueldich and Tyron Damons,' said Pirates in a brief statement. The Buccaneers have been looking for a new head coach since Spaniard Jose Riveiro's departure was announced towards the end of last season. Riveiro subsequently took over as head coach of Egyptian giants Al Ahly, who he is currently leading at the Fifa World Club Cup in the USA. Ouaddou, 46, is a former Moroccan international, who first coached in South Africa last season when he took over at the helm of Marumo Gallants. He saved Gallants from relegation but resigned as head coach at the end of the campaign, claiming Gallants were not able to pay the salary they had previously agreed upon. 'I had an appointment in Johannesburg with my chairman, and I learned that he won't be able to pay the salary we negotiated when I arrived in March. 'The target was to serve the club for two years, and we had already negotiated everything, but when someone tells you they can't afford to pay you next season, there are two choices: you can decide to stop, or if you love the club, if you love the people and players, you will try and find a solution. So, I asked the chairman for another offer, he gave me an offer with a clause I did not like, a clause that was very unfair,' Ouaddou told the SABC at the start of this month.
