Will new Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou turn to Mamelodi Sundowns again for midfielder to follow Sipho Mbule? Moroccan trainer expresses admiration for Masandawana linkman

Orlando Pirates have appointed Abdeslam Ouaddou as their new coach to replace Jose Riveiro.

Soon after the announcement of Ouaddou's hiring, the Buccaneers confirmed former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Sipho Mbule as their new player.

The former Morocco international defender has expressed great admiration for another Sundowns star, sparking speculation that he could be targeting the Masandawana midfielder, who captains Bafana Bafana's Chan team, Neo Maema.

“I like very much Maema from Sundowns,” said Ouaddou on Marawa Sports Worldwide.

“He is a top player, fantastic player, I will be pleased to have him. I love his style of play.

“I know that maybe his behaviour might not be so good but I think it’s a question of management. 

“These players need management, somebody to be close to them, to understand that they are good players, but they have to manage their lifestyle," added the former Morocco international.

“Mbule is a fantastic player, I would like to have him in my team but I don’t know if we can afford them.”

What could give Pirates hopes of signing Maema is that he seems not to be in the plans of Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso.

He has endured very limited game time under Cardoso, just 633 minutes across the whole season, and is yet to feature in any match at the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup.

The 29-year-old joined Sundowns in July 2021 and his current contract expires in June 2026.

Some Sundowns players are expected to be released after the team returns from the Club World Cup.

It is to be seen if Maema will be among some of those players and this is what Pirates could be watching closely.