Orlando Pirates have officially announced Abdeslam Ouaddou as their new head coach, taking the helm for the upcoming 2025/26 season.
The former Marumo Gallants coach steps in to replace Jose Riveiro, who departed to join Al Ahly after a successful three-year tenure with the Buccaneers.
The club confirmed the appointment on their website, stating, “Orlando Pirates Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Abdeslam Ouaddou as the new Head Coach.”
The statement further elaborated, “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.”
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Born in Alnif, Morocco, the 46-year-old Ouaddou brings a wealth of experience to the Soweto giants, both from his distinguished playing career and his coaching roles.
A former Moroccan international, he earned 68 caps for The Atlas Lions and played in several top European leagues. His deep understanding of the game and strong leadership qualities are expected to usher in a new era for the Buccaneers.
Ouaddou is anticipated to arrive in South Africa towards the end of this week. He will be joined by a familiar technical team, with Mandla Ncikazi and Rayaan Jacobs retaining their roles as assistant coaches, alongside Helmi Gueldich and Tyron Damons.
Pre-Season Preparations and European Tour
Ouaddou will immediately dive into Pirates’ pre-season preparations, which are set to officially kick off later this week on June 27, 2025.
The Mighty Buccaneers have an exciting pre-season schedule lined up, including a European tour. English Championship side Bolton Wanderers have already confirmed a friendly match against Pirates, scheduled for Friday, July 11th, at the state-of-the-art Marbella Football Centre in Marbella, Spain.
These European camps have consistently proven invaluable for Pirates in fine-tuning their squad, fostering team cohesion, and providing competitive preparation against top-tier international opposition.
This intensive preparation aims to set the stage for a challenging yet promising 2025/26 campaign for Orlando Pirates.