Replacing a coach who delivered five trophies, Abdeslam Ouaddou’s path is paved with pressure, writes MAZOLA MOLEFE.
Orlando Pirates’ decision to appoint Abdeslam Ouaddou as coach caught many by surprise.
While his name was not completely foreign to South African football, his sudden rise to the helm of one of the continent’s most celebrated clubs still raised eyebrows, especially following the departure of José Riveiro, who had enjoyed a trophy-laden tenure.
Ouaddou, a former Moroccoan international who made his mark in France and had a brief spell in England, had only arrived on the South African football scene earlier this year.
He joined Marumo Gallants under difficult circumstances and remarkably guided them to Betway Premiership survival in just 12 matches.
His ability to steady a sinking ship impressed many, but Orlando Pirates is a completely different beast, a club with massive expectations, unforgiving supporters, and a history of short patience when results do not come in quickly.
So, what made Pirates take a gamble on a relatively unknown coach at this level? That remains an internal matter, as boardroom conversations of this nature rarely see daylight.
But Ouaddou has given the public a glimpse into what makes him tick, his philosophy, his vision and his belief in modern football.
“I don’t want to go deep, you know… because then I would have to explain everything to you. We would have to sit like one or two hours to go through everything,” he told journalists at his first press conference.
Pressed for a quick summary, he offered this: “I like positional play. I like a direct game. I want my team to be strong defensively, but also dynamic in attack. To be honest, my playbook is 90 slides long.”
REPLACING RIVEIRO’S LEGACY
Ouaddou’s challenge is made even greater by the shadow of Riveiro’s success.
The Spaniard delivered five trophies in three years, turning Pirates into genuine contenders again before leaving for Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
While Riveiro left a blueprint, the Soweto giants clearly wanted a new identity.
They backed Ouaddou with significant reinforcements, signing more than 10 players while offloading a similar number, signalling the start of a new era.
“We have the tools,” Ouaddou insisted. “I think the club gave me everything to succeed. I’m proud of the quality we have. Every weekend I have a problem selecting the starting line-up, but those are good problems to have.”
The type of players Pirates have brought in under his watch suggest a focus on youth, speed, and dynamism, attributes Ouaddou values.
He has long spoken about modern football, where flexibility and unpredictability are key.
“I want a very dynamic team, a dynamic organization, a dynamic system. Football is no longer just 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3. Positions are fluid, spaces are manipulated. The opponent should never be certain how you’re playing,” he explained with passion.
FROM DEFENCE TO THE DUGOUT
Ouaddou was once a towering central defender who competed at the highest level in Europe, so pressure is nothing new to him.
His composure was evident when he fielded some hard-hitting questions from reporters, many of them reflecting the frustrations of the club’s vocal fanbase.
“When you put your feet into a club like Pirates, one of the biggest in Africa, you don’t come to relax. The board didn’t bring me here to chill. I know the expectations from the fans and the hierarchy,” he said firmly.
The coach also acknowledged the achievements of the past while calling for calm and patience.
“The players know they did a very good job under Jose for three years. We need to keep building. This is just the beginning. The challenge is big, but that’s why we’re here.”
For Ouaddou, his success, or failure, at Pirates will come down to more than tactics or philosophy.
It will hinge on how quickly he adapts to a ruthless environment, where every draw feels like a defeat and every defeat feels like a crisis.
As things stand, the Moroccan mentor is walking a tightrope, balancing ambition with expectation, and hoping that the modern football he speaks so passionately about translates into points on the board.
Because at Pirates, ideas alone do not win you time… results do.
