Latest news with #Moroccan-born
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Orlando Pirates' latest coaching gamble echoes Jose Riveiro's yesteryear surprise appointment
Orlando Pirates have rolled the dice again. Three years ago, when Orlando Pirates made the controversial choice to recruit relatively unknown Spaniard Jose Riveiro as their head coach, scepticism flooded sports forums. Many questioned the wisdom of one of Africa's most storied clubs looking to Finland's First Division for inspiration, especially considering the nation's modest ranking of 69th in the world. Fast forward to this week, and the sea of doubt has resurfaced, but this time directed at the new head coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou. Riveiro's tenure did not start very well, but instead of firing him, Pirates persevered with him, much to the disgust of the club's demanding supporters who mocked him by labelling him a 'plumber'. This is a common term used by locals as a veiled reference to an unknown coach, hailing from a relatively obscure coaching background. The quiet Spaniard surprised many by leading the Pirates to significant victories, including lifting the MTN8 trophy in 2022. His adept blend of strategy and a fresh take on football impressed both supporters and critics alike. The calculated risk had yielded unexpected rewards. The Moroccan-born Ouaddou's first coaching appointment was with Algeria's national football team as an apprentice coach in 2020. He worked alongside Frenchman Djamel Belmadi, a vastly experienced coach. When Ouaddou joined Marumo Gallants last season, he brought a fresh approach that was needed to save the club from relegation, and he did so in style with a shock win over Pirates. The Pirates, known for their rich history and passionate following, have opted for Ouaddou instead of coaches like Pitso Mosimane and Rhulani Mokwena, both of whom are presently jobless. Pirates' management will need to harness patience and support for Ouaddou as he embarks on this challenging journey. Like Riveiro, Ouaddou must navigate the complexities of South African football, which is fraught with expectations from a fanbase eager for success. The pressure to perform is immense. If results do not materialise sooner rather than later, the fog of inefficiency will cloud the Mayfair-based team's ambitions for success. The risk was glaringly apparent during Riveiro's tenure, but the initial gamble became a defining chapter in the club's recent history, culminating in exciting performances and revitalised enthusiasm among supporters. As Ouaddou begins crafting a philosophy that aligns with Pirates' ethos, he may yet become the next unexpected success story in the club's illustrious narrative. No doubt, fans will be wondering if Ouaddou will replicate the magic that Riveiro and hope that this audacious move pays dividends in the quest for glory.
IOL News
24-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Ouaddou a gamble when continuity should have been preferred at Orlando Pirates
Abdeslam Ouaddou's appointment as head coach Orlando Pirates is a maissive gamble, especially with the club on the up in recent seasons. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Orlando Pirates have once again taken a bold and unconventional route in appointing Moroccan-born Abdeslam Ouaddou as their new head coach — a move that has sparked more questions than answers for The Ghost. While Ouaddou boasts an impressive playing résumé — having turned out for clubs in the English Premier League and represented Morocco at international level — his coaching credentials are far less convincing. He arrives at the Bucs with minimal South African top-flight experience and a modest coaching stint at relegation-threatened Marumo Gallants last season. Yet, this is not unfamiliar territory for the Buccaneers' hierarchy. In 2022, the appointment of José Riveiro raised similar eyebrows. At the time, critics dismissed the Spaniard as a 'plumber,' and rival fans ridiculed his unknown status. 🚨𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐁 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒🚨 Orlando Pirates Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Abdeslam Ouaddou as Head Coach. Read More : 𝐁𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐀𝐛𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐦 ! ⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways — Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) June 23, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Riveiro would, however, would go on to defy the odds, guiding Pirates to five trophies in just three seasons and re-establishing the Soweto giants as one of the most dangerous outfits in the country, before departing for Egyptian giants Al Ahly. That precedent may have informed the club's thinking — but this latest move feels like a far riskier proposition. Unlike Riveiro, who came from structured European football environments, Ouaddou's only experience on South African soil was with a Gallants side he helped survive relegation. That, in itself, was commendable. But Pirates are not Gallants. This is a club with far greater ambition — a team that has spent the last three years building toward dethroning Mamelodi Sundowns, who recently claimed their eighth successive league title. Pirates also reached the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League last season — their first in a decade — and once again finished second in the Betway Premiership. There was a clear upward trajectory under Riveiro. The expectation was that the next appointment would build on that momentum, not reset it. Surely, the club might have been better off securing a coach with domestic title-winning experience, deep knowledge of African club football, and ideally, someone familiar with the high expectations of Pirates' culture. Still, the club remains adamant that Ouaddou fits the long-term vision. Speaking on Radio 2000 this past week, the club's media officer Thandi Merafe offered insight into the decision. 'Pirates have a very keen eye and an amazing ability to unearth talent and people that are perfect for the brand,' she said. 'I think the one match where we played against him (at Gallants), you can see the behaviour of the coach when he's under pressure — the attitude and the professionalism. I urge all the genuine Orlando Pirates fans to remember why they began to support the club. The club is bigger than individuals. Let's rally behind Abdeslam Ouaddou the same way we supported Jose Riveiro when he was called a plumber. Rival fans will attack him. He only has us ☠️ — His Excellency (@eemz_em) June 23, 2025
Ya Biladi
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Ya Biladi
Spain to ease driver's license validation for citizens of Moroccan origin
The Spanish government is preparing to introduce a new measure that will allow Spanish citizens of Moroccan origin, and their children, to obtain a driver's license without needing to return to Morocco. The mutual recognition of driver's licenses is one of the areas both countries are looking to revise to prevent misuse of the system. Until now, Spain's General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) only recognized Moroccan licenses if they were issued before the holder moved to Spain. This excluded many Moroccan-born Spaniards and their children, who often traveled to Morocco just to obtain a license and then use it in Spain. Under the new system, the license validation process will be carried out entirely online through the DGT's digital platform, eliminating the need for in-person appointments. Before approval, Moroccan authorities will still need to verify the authenticity of the license. Once that confirmation is received from Rabat, the Spanish validation can be completed within hours. The aim is to speed up what has traditionally been a slow and complicated process while closing gaps that could be exploited for fraud. It's also worth noting that Moroccan nationals visiting Spain temporarily can drive without validating their licenses, as long as their stay doesn't exceed the legal limit. However, if authorities determine that a driver is actually living in Spain without having regularized their status, they may face a fine of €500.
The Advertiser
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Flip the switch: Design Week starts with lights on show
Of more than 350 events and exhibitions for Melbourne Design Week, it's easy to pick which one shines brightest. At North Melbourne's Meat Market Stables, the free exhibition 100 LIGHTS illuminates the work of more than 100 Australian designers, from moody bar lighting, to chandeliers worthy of a concert hall. One standout is Seven Flowers and a Tall Vase, by Moroccan-born and Melbourne-based designer Abdé Nouamani. On top of a walnut plinth in a polished cast aluminium vase sits a display of lights on stems. Just like the blooms in a real bunch of flowers, they can be rearranged, because each light has been designed to be moveable. The lights are housed in aluminium cups that were cut out from a Dutch pancake pan, explained Nouamani. "I chopped them up and polished them to bring them that shine... they were the perfect lamp holder for the lamps that I was using," he said. Sundown Lighting's Ripple Chandelier is made from timber shaped into waves, while Ross Gardam's Aeris light is constructed from mouth-blown glass "clouds" fixed to brass bars. It all shines a light on the inventiveness of local designers, and the variety of materials in play. There are attractions on a smaller scale too, such as an Igloo sconce from Giffin Design, which shines through a solid block of clear glass, highlighting tiny bubbles of air trapped inside. And there are quirky pieces on show, like the Wavy Lamp from Luke James, made for a vintage clothing store using vintage Levi's denim. Issues around lighting - or the lack of it - are a feature of the Design Week program in other ways also. Illuminating Darkness: Shining a Light on Women's Safety in Running looks at how urban design impacts on safety for female runners. A discussion session at Collingwood Yards with Katherine Newton and Tom Robertson of V1 Studios will be followed by a 5km run, with participants wearing headlamps to light the way. More than 195,000 people work in design fields in Victoria, adding $6 billion to the state's economy each year. The sixth annual Melbourne Design Week Award went to lighting designer Volker Haug, who has staged an exhibition of his studio's groundbreaking work over the past 20 years. "Having a retrospective exhibition as well getting this award, that was a really beautiful piece of recognition from the Australian and Melbourne design market," said Haug. Melbourne Design Week runs from Thursday until May 25, while 100 LIGHTS runs until Sunday. Of more than 350 events and exhibitions for Melbourne Design Week, it's easy to pick which one shines brightest. At North Melbourne's Meat Market Stables, the free exhibition 100 LIGHTS illuminates the work of more than 100 Australian designers, from moody bar lighting, to chandeliers worthy of a concert hall. One standout is Seven Flowers and a Tall Vase, by Moroccan-born and Melbourne-based designer Abdé Nouamani. On top of a walnut plinth in a polished cast aluminium vase sits a display of lights on stems. Just like the blooms in a real bunch of flowers, they can be rearranged, because each light has been designed to be moveable. The lights are housed in aluminium cups that were cut out from a Dutch pancake pan, explained Nouamani. "I chopped them up and polished them to bring them that shine... they were the perfect lamp holder for the lamps that I was using," he said. Sundown Lighting's Ripple Chandelier is made from timber shaped into waves, while Ross Gardam's Aeris light is constructed from mouth-blown glass "clouds" fixed to brass bars. It all shines a light on the inventiveness of local designers, and the variety of materials in play. There are attractions on a smaller scale too, such as an Igloo sconce from Giffin Design, which shines through a solid block of clear glass, highlighting tiny bubbles of air trapped inside. And there are quirky pieces on show, like the Wavy Lamp from Luke James, made for a vintage clothing store using vintage Levi's denim. Issues around lighting - or the lack of it - are a feature of the Design Week program in other ways also. Illuminating Darkness: Shining a Light on Women's Safety in Running looks at how urban design impacts on safety for female runners. A discussion session at Collingwood Yards with Katherine Newton and Tom Robertson of V1 Studios will be followed by a 5km run, with participants wearing headlamps to light the way. More than 195,000 people work in design fields in Victoria, adding $6 billion to the state's economy each year. The sixth annual Melbourne Design Week Award went to lighting designer Volker Haug, who has staged an exhibition of his studio's groundbreaking work over the past 20 years. "Having a retrospective exhibition as well getting this award, that was a really beautiful piece of recognition from the Australian and Melbourne design market," said Haug. Melbourne Design Week runs from Thursday until May 25, while 100 LIGHTS runs until Sunday. Of more than 350 events and exhibitions for Melbourne Design Week, it's easy to pick which one shines brightest. At North Melbourne's Meat Market Stables, the free exhibition 100 LIGHTS illuminates the work of more than 100 Australian designers, from moody bar lighting, to chandeliers worthy of a concert hall. One standout is Seven Flowers and a Tall Vase, by Moroccan-born and Melbourne-based designer Abdé Nouamani. On top of a walnut plinth in a polished cast aluminium vase sits a display of lights on stems. Just like the blooms in a real bunch of flowers, they can be rearranged, because each light has been designed to be moveable. The lights are housed in aluminium cups that were cut out from a Dutch pancake pan, explained Nouamani. "I chopped them up and polished them to bring them that shine... they were the perfect lamp holder for the lamps that I was using," he said. Sundown Lighting's Ripple Chandelier is made from timber shaped into waves, while Ross Gardam's Aeris light is constructed from mouth-blown glass "clouds" fixed to brass bars. It all shines a light on the inventiveness of local designers, and the variety of materials in play. There are attractions on a smaller scale too, such as an Igloo sconce from Giffin Design, which shines through a solid block of clear glass, highlighting tiny bubbles of air trapped inside. And there are quirky pieces on show, like the Wavy Lamp from Luke James, made for a vintage clothing store using vintage Levi's denim. Issues around lighting - or the lack of it - are a feature of the Design Week program in other ways also. Illuminating Darkness: Shining a Light on Women's Safety in Running looks at how urban design impacts on safety for female runners. A discussion session at Collingwood Yards with Katherine Newton and Tom Robertson of V1 Studios will be followed by a 5km run, with participants wearing headlamps to light the way. More than 195,000 people work in design fields in Victoria, adding $6 billion to the state's economy each year. The sixth annual Melbourne Design Week Award went to lighting designer Volker Haug, who has staged an exhibition of his studio's groundbreaking work over the past 20 years. "Having a retrospective exhibition as well getting this award, that was a really beautiful piece of recognition from the Australian and Melbourne design market," said Haug. Melbourne Design Week runs from Thursday until May 25, while 100 LIGHTS runs until Sunday. Of more than 350 events and exhibitions for Melbourne Design Week, it's easy to pick which one shines brightest. At North Melbourne's Meat Market Stables, the free exhibition 100 LIGHTS illuminates the work of more than 100 Australian designers, from moody bar lighting, to chandeliers worthy of a concert hall. One standout is Seven Flowers and a Tall Vase, by Moroccan-born and Melbourne-based designer Abdé Nouamani. On top of a walnut plinth in a polished cast aluminium vase sits a display of lights on stems. Just like the blooms in a real bunch of flowers, they can be rearranged, because each light has been designed to be moveable. The lights are housed in aluminium cups that were cut out from a Dutch pancake pan, explained Nouamani. "I chopped them up and polished them to bring them that shine... they were the perfect lamp holder for the lamps that I was using," he said. Sundown Lighting's Ripple Chandelier is made from timber shaped into waves, while Ross Gardam's Aeris light is constructed from mouth-blown glass "clouds" fixed to brass bars. It all shines a light on the inventiveness of local designers, and the variety of materials in play. There are attractions on a smaller scale too, such as an Igloo sconce from Giffin Design, which shines through a solid block of clear glass, highlighting tiny bubbles of air trapped inside. And there are quirky pieces on show, like the Wavy Lamp from Luke James, made for a vintage clothing store using vintage Levi's denim. Issues around lighting - or the lack of it - are a feature of the Design Week program in other ways also. Illuminating Darkness: Shining a Light on Women's Safety in Running looks at how urban design impacts on safety for female runners. A discussion session at Collingwood Yards with Katherine Newton and Tom Robertson of V1 Studios will be followed by a 5km run, with participants wearing headlamps to light the way. More than 195,000 people work in design fields in Victoria, adding $6 billion to the state's economy each year. The sixth annual Melbourne Design Week Award went to lighting designer Volker Haug, who has staged an exhibition of his studio's groundbreaking work over the past 20 years. "Having a retrospective exhibition as well getting this award, that was a really beautiful piece of recognition from the Australian and Melbourne design market," said Haug. Melbourne Design Week runs from Thursday until May 25, while 100 LIGHTS runs until Sunday.
The Advertiser
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Design Week flicks on the switch with a show of lights
Of more than 350 events and exhibitions for Melbourne Design Week, it's easy to pick which one shines brightest. At North Melbourne's Meat Market Stables, the free exhibition 100 LIGHTS illuminates the work of more than 100 Australian designers, from moody bar lighting, to chandeliers worthy of a concert hall. One standout is Seven Flowers and a Tall Vase, by Moroccan-born and Melbourne-based designer Abdé Nouamani. On top of a walnut plinth in a polished cast aluminium vase sits a bunch of lights on stems. Just like the blooms in a real bunch of flowers, they can be rearranged, because each light has been designed to be moveable. The lights are housed in aluminium cups that were cut out from a Dutch pancake pan, explained Nouamani. "I chopped them up and polished them to bring them that shine... they were the perfect lamp holder for the lamps that I was using," he said. Sundown Lighting's Ripple Chandelier is made from timber shaped into waves, while Ross Gardam's Aeris light is constructed from mouth-blown glass "clouds" fixed to brass bars. It all shines a light on the inventiveness of local designers, and the variety of materials in play. There are attractions on a smaller scale too, such as an Igloo sconce from Giffin Design, which shines through a solid block of clear glass, highlighting tiny bubbles of air trapped inside. And there are quirky pieces on show, like the Wavy Lamp from Luke James, made using vintage Levi's denim for a vintage clothing store. Issues around lighting - or the lack of it - are a feature of the Design Week program in other ways also. Illuminating Darkness: Shining a Light on Women's Safety in Running looks at how urban design impacts on safety for female runners. A discussion session at Collingwood Yards with Katherine Newton and Tom Robertson of V1 Studios will be followed by a 5km run, with participants wearing headlamps to light the Design Week runs from Thursday until May 25, while 100 LIGHTS runs until Sunday. Of more than 350 events and exhibitions for Melbourne Design Week, it's easy to pick which one shines brightest. At North Melbourne's Meat Market Stables, the free exhibition 100 LIGHTS illuminates the work of more than 100 Australian designers, from moody bar lighting, to chandeliers worthy of a concert hall. One standout is Seven Flowers and a Tall Vase, by Moroccan-born and Melbourne-based designer Abdé Nouamani. On top of a walnut plinth in a polished cast aluminium vase sits a bunch of lights on stems. Just like the blooms in a real bunch of flowers, they can be rearranged, because each light has been designed to be moveable. The lights are housed in aluminium cups that were cut out from a Dutch pancake pan, explained Nouamani. "I chopped them up and polished them to bring them that shine... they were the perfect lamp holder for the lamps that I was using," he said. Sundown Lighting's Ripple Chandelier is made from timber shaped into waves, while Ross Gardam's Aeris light is constructed from mouth-blown glass "clouds" fixed to brass bars. It all shines a light on the inventiveness of local designers, and the variety of materials in play. There are attractions on a smaller scale too, such as an Igloo sconce from Giffin Design, which shines through a solid block of clear glass, highlighting tiny bubbles of air trapped inside. And there are quirky pieces on show, like the Wavy Lamp from Luke James, made using vintage Levi's denim for a vintage clothing store. Issues around lighting - or the lack of it - are a feature of the Design Week program in other ways also. Illuminating Darkness: Shining a Light on Women's Safety in Running looks at how urban design impacts on safety for female runners. A discussion session at Collingwood Yards with Katherine Newton and Tom Robertson of V1 Studios will be followed by a 5km run, with participants wearing headlamps to light the Design Week runs from Thursday until May 25, while 100 LIGHTS runs until Sunday. Of more than 350 events and exhibitions for Melbourne Design Week, it's easy to pick which one shines brightest. At North Melbourne's Meat Market Stables, the free exhibition 100 LIGHTS illuminates the work of more than 100 Australian designers, from moody bar lighting, to chandeliers worthy of a concert hall. One standout is Seven Flowers and a Tall Vase, by Moroccan-born and Melbourne-based designer Abdé Nouamani. On top of a walnut plinth in a polished cast aluminium vase sits a bunch of lights on stems. Just like the blooms in a real bunch of flowers, they can be rearranged, because each light has been designed to be moveable. The lights are housed in aluminium cups that were cut out from a Dutch pancake pan, explained Nouamani. "I chopped them up and polished them to bring them that shine... they were the perfect lamp holder for the lamps that I was using," he said. Sundown Lighting's Ripple Chandelier is made from timber shaped into waves, while Ross Gardam's Aeris light is constructed from mouth-blown glass "clouds" fixed to brass bars. It all shines a light on the inventiveness of local designers, and the variety of materials in play. There are attractions on a smaller scale too, such as an Igloo sconce from Giffin Design, which shines through a solid block of clear glass, highlighting tiny bubbles of air trapped inside. And there are quirky pieces on show, like the Wavy Lamp from Luke James, made using vintage Levi's denim for a vintage clothing store. Issues around lighting - or the lack of it - are a feature of the Design Week program in other ways also. Illuminating Darkness: Shining a Light on Women's Safety in Running looks at how urban design impacts on safety for female runners. A discussion session at Collingwood Yards with Katherine Newton and Tom Robertson of V1 Studios will be followed by a 5km run, with participants wearing headlamps to light the Design Week runs from Thursday until May 25, while 100 LIGHTS runs until Sunday. Of more than 350 events and exhibitions for Melbourne Design Week, it's easy to pick which one shines brightest. At North Melbourne's Meat Market Stables, the free exhibition 100 LIGHTS illuminates the work of more than 100 Australian designers, from moody bar lighting, to chandeliers worthy of a concert hall. One standout is Seven Flowers and a Tall Vase, by Moroccan-born and Melbourne-based designer Abdé Nouamani. On top of a walnut plinth in a polished cast aluminium vase sits a bunch of lights on stems. Just like the blooms in a real bunch of flowers, they can be rearranged, because each light has been designed to be moveable. The lights are housed in aluminium cups that were cut out from a Dutch pancake pan, explained Nouamani. "I chopped them up and polished them to bring them that shine... they were the perfect lamp holder for the lamps that I was using," he said. Sundown Lighting's Ripple Chandelier is made from timber shaped into waves, while Ross Gardam's Aeris light is constructed from mouth-blown glass "clouds" fixed to brass bars. It all shines a light on the inventiveness of local designers, and the variety of materials in play. There are attractions on a smaller scale too, such as an Igloo sconce from Giffin Design, which shines through a solid block of clear glass, highlighting tiny bubbles of air trapped inside. And there are quirky pieces on show, like the Wavy Lamp from Luke James, made using vintage Levi's denim for a vintage clothing store. Issues around lighting - or the lack of it - are a feature of the Design Week program in other ways also. Illuminating Darkness: Shining a Light on Women's Safety in Running looks at how urban design impacts on safety for female runners. A discussion session at Collingwood Yards with Katherine Newton and Tom Robertson of V1 Studios will be followed by a 5km run, with participants wearing headlamps to light the Design Week runs from Thursday until May 25, while 100 LIGHTS runs until Sunday.
