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Rabat – Former Morocco international Abdeslam Ouaddou has become the first Moroccan coach to win the South African Premiership (PSL) Coach of the Season award after leading Orlando Pirates to the 2025-26 league title.
Ouaddou received the prestigious honor following an outstanding debut season in charge of the South African giants. After taking over in the summer of 2025, the Moroccan tactician guided Orlando Pirates to the league championship, ending the domestic dominance of Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Moroccan tactician’s remarkable campaign also saw him set a new PSL record, becoming the first coach to oversee a run of 11 consecutive home victories across all competitions during the 2025-26 season.
In comments he made after receiving the award, Ouaddou dedicated the achievement to his players, emphasizing that their efforts made the success possible.
“Without the players, the coach is nothing,” he said. “I thank my team, and I look forward to achieving even more success next season.”
The award marks another achievement in Ouaddou’s coaching career and a significant achievement for Moroccan football, as he becomes the first Moroccan manager to receive South Africa’s top coaching honor.
A former defender who represented Morocco at the international level before moving into coaching, Ouaddou has quickly become one of Africa’s rising managerial talents. His success with Orlando Pirates is expected to further strengthen the reputation of Moroccan coaches across the continent.
