Orlando Pirates sent the South African football fraternity into a frenzy on Monday with the appointment of Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Fresh from resigning at Marumo Gallants, Ouaddou was announced as the new Pirates coach, a move very few saw coming.
Ouaddou a surprise appointment for Pirates
This was not in doubt of Ouaddou’s acumen as a coach, as they were prior links to him and Pirates. In fact, he beat both the Buccaneers and their arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the league last season. He even dragged Gallants to a 10th place finish after finding them in the relegation zone upon his arrival. But the shock in his appointment came in the sense that it was widely expected that Rulani Mokwena would take over.
Just 24 hours prior, wide spread reports claimed that Pirates and Mokwena were advancing in their negotiations. Then the Buccaneers went on to drop the Ouaddou bomb!
Watch what he has said about the Buccaneers in the past
After that a clip of Ouaddou speaking of and singing the praises of Pirates has surfaced. This came after his then side Marumo Gallants lost a Nedbank Cup semifinal 2-0 against his new side. In this clip, he admits to be a long-term admirer of the Buccaneers, before breaking down how he tried to beat them. Watch the clip below.
Upon watching the clip, many Pirates fans commented, saying it gave the impression that Ouaddou always knew something. On Monday he was officially unveiled as the new coach, blindsiding many in the process. Earlier on Tuesday this publication reported that he has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at the Buccaneers.
Impressed maBhakaniya?
Ouaddou is expected to return to South Africa next week and lead pre-season proceedings. Pirates will once again depart for Spain in the second week of July. Buccaneers, are you impressed that your new coach has taken the time to study the club? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab. Or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.
