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Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando Pirates, July 2025Orlando Pirates
Michael Madyira

Is CAF Champions League-winning Orlando Pirates captain justified in his bold declaration? 'Abdeslam Ouaddou will surpass Jose Riveiro, the Buccaneers will definitely win the league this coming season'

The Buccaneers are challenging Mamelodi Sundowns' supremacy in local football and they are also bidding to conquer the continent.

  • Ouaddou has just finished his overseas pre-season camp with Bucs
  • This was after he took over from Riveiro
  • An ex-Bucs skipper compares Ouaddou to Riveiro
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  • Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando PiratesOrlando Pirates

    WHAT HAPPENED?

    Abdeslam Ouaddou was appointed as Orlando Pirates' coach this pre-season and is already deep into preparing his side for the 2025/26 season.

    The former Morocco international defender took over from Jose Riveiro, who carved himself as a Cup game specialist.

    Ex-Pirates captain Edward Motale has tipped Ouaddou to achieve more than what his Spaniard predecessor managed to win.

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  • Edward MotaleGallo

    WHAT MOTALE SAID

    "I’m pleased with the team that our new coach has put together so far. The signings they’ve made will create strong competition within the squad," Motale told KickOff.

    "You can see that the coach believes in hard work and youth. He’s been in South Africa for a while now, so he has done his research.

    "I believe Ouaddou will be the best and will surpass Riveiro's achievements. Just look at how he managed to perform with Marumo Gallants when there were only five games left in the season; his impact was significant.

    "If he had arrived earlier, he would have done even better with them. He brought direction to that team," added the 1995 CAF Champions League-winning captain.

    "What I appreciate about him is that he has played the game at the highest level, so he understands what it takes to succeed in football.

    “With this coach and this group of players, Orlando Pirates will definitely win the league this coming season.”

  • Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando PiratesOrlando Pirates

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    In the three seasons he was at Pirates, Riveiro won five Cup finals but failed to win the Premier Soccer League title, which Mamelodi Sundowns has dominated.

    Ouaddou will be pressed to surpass those five titles and also break Masandawana's dominance.

    There is also the Champions League to play for, a trophy last lifted by Motale as captain in 1995.

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  • Orlando Pirates vs GranadaOrlando Pirates on X

    WHAT NEXT FOR OUADDOU?

    The former Fulham centre-back's first competitive match in charge of Pirates will be the August 2 MTN8 quarter-final clash with Polokwane City.

    Interestingly, Pirates are the defending champions and that places pressure on Ouaddou to win it.

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