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Rabat – South African football club Orlando Pirates announced on Monday that they are appointing former Moroccan international player Abdeslam Ouaddou as new head coach.
The South African club announced the free-agent deal on Monday and said Ouaddou will land in Johannesburg “before the weekend” to sign a one-year contract and lead pre-season from 27 June.
The 46-year-old brings arrives in South Africa with a rich international background. As a player, he won 68 caps for Morocco and spent 11 seasons in Europe with clubs such as Rennes, Olympiacos, and Fulham.
His coaching career started with short spells in Algeria with MC Oujda, two years guiding Benin’s Loto-Popo, a nine-month stint at DR Congo giants AS Vita Club, and most recently, managing Marumo Gallants clear of relegation in South Africa.
At Pirates, he will work alongside assistants Mandla Ncikazi, Rayaan Jacobs, Helmi Gueldich, and Tyron Damons.
Ouaddou’s first task is a Spanish training camp from 8–20 July featuring friendlies against Bolton Wanderers, Pafos FC, Las Palmas, and Granada – a schedule the club reportedly hopes will sharpen a squad that finished runners-up last season.
The Moroccan’s debut season will be judged on whether he can keep the Buccaneers competing on all fronts and perhaps add a first league title since 2012.
