Orlando Pirates have announced the appointment of Abdeslam Ouaddou as the new head coach but who is he?
Ouaddou takes over the reins ahead of the new season, replacing Jose Riveiro at the helm following his decision to step down to join Al Ahly, after a successful three-year tenure.
Ouaddou (46) is a former Moroccan footballer who has earned 80 caps for his national team. As a player, he played his football in Greece, France, England and Qatar.
What are Ouaddou’s credentials? will the new coach improve Orlando Pirates?
In a statement, Orlando Pirates believe the Moroccan coach is the right person to lead the club into a new era.
“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 statement read.
“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.”
As a coach, the 46-year-old managed Congolese giants AS Vita.
Orlando Pirates pre-season preparations will officially kick off on June 27 with the new coach at the helm.
As part of preparations for the upcoming campaign, Orlando Pirates will embark on their third consecutive international pre-season tour to Marbella, Spain. The training camp – set to run 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).
What do you think of the Bucs new coach?
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