Ouaddou's arrival could open doors for these 5 Pirates players
Orlando Pirates' new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will have the opportunity to assess his squad during the upcoming pre-season.
The Buccaneers are set to travel to Spain next month, where they are expected to play several friendly matches against high-profile teams.
Last season, the club finished second in the Betway Premiership for the third consecutive time under Jose Riveiro. With Riveiro now gone, there will be new changes within the team and different coaching styles. Some players who did not receive full support from the former coach may find new opportunities to shine under Ouaddou.
Here are five Orlando Pirates players who could potentially flourish under the new coach:
Karim Kimvuidi
The Congolese attacker played only eight league matches last season, as he was underutilized by Riveiro. Whenever he had the chance, he displayed glimpses of brilliance. Now, he has the opportunity to show the new technical team what he can do.
Thabiso Lebitso
The overlooked right-back is a fan favourite, yet he saw very little game time last season, with only two matches to his name. With Thabiso Monyane leaving the team, he might compete with Deano van Rooyen for a spot next season. Under Ouaddou, the Pirates right-back can finally flourish.
Tshegofatso Mabasa
The talented striker was not favored by Riveiro. Under the new coach, Mabasa can finally rediscover the form that earned him the Golden Boot two years ago.
Sipho Mbule
The former Mamelodi Sundowns star recently joined the Buccaneers and has caught Ouaddou's attention, as the coach was instrumental in his transfer to Pirates. He is likely to see more playing time this coming season.
Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo
The 30-year-old midfielder featured in only six league matches for Pirates last season. With the new technical team, he may be favored and could appear in several matches early in the season.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
More questions on new Orlando Pirates coach
Orlando Pirates have made a surprise decision. Abdeslam Ouaddou will oversee the Buccaneers in the 2025/2026 Betway Premiership season. The Moroccan coach needed 12 games with Marumo Gallants to win over the Sea Robbers boss, Dr Irvin Khoza. According to the former Orlando Pirates midfielder, James Mothibi, Ouaddou is probably qualified on paper, but the pressure of coaching the Sea Robbers is different gravy. New Orlando Pirates star tipped for Europe The Buccaneers' new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou with his predecessor Jose Riveiro. Image: Sowetan Benedict Vilakazi questions the Khoza 'I think he is a good coach, the only challenge is how he is going to continue where Jose (Riveiro) left off and I'm worried about him handling the pressure that comes with managing big teams like Orlando Pirates,' Mothibi said via Soccer Laduma . 'Will he be able to handle that pressure? Does he have what it takes to handle the pressure? Pirates have a different pressure and heavy pressure but let's hope he can handle that. 'I really don't know him that much. I have no idea of his coaching philosophy,' Mothibi continued. 'I just saw him at Marumo Gallants but good luck to the brother. I wish him all the best to help the team achieve more from next season,' he concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
Orbit College graduate to Premiership and relegate Cape Town City
Orbit College will play in the Betway Premiership next season football after securing promotion with their 1-0 playoffs win over Cape Town City at Olympia Park in Rustenburg on Wednesday. In the process, the Citizens were relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC), unable to retain their status in the promotion-relegation playoffs after finishing 15th in the 2024-25 Premiership. There were tears of joy after the final whistle for Orbit as they joined Durban City as the two teams from the MFC to be promoted to the Premiership to play top-flight football. Letsie Koapeng netted the only goal of the match two minutes after the break. Orbit finished the playoff mini-league with eight points after two wins and two draws. Olympia Park erupts 🥳🎉 Letsie Koapeng puts Orbit College within touching distance of #BetwayPrem promotion 👀 📺 Stream on DStv: — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 25, 2025 Orbit came into the fixture leading both City and Casric Stars by three points after their 1-0 win against Casric in Mbombela last week and knew a win would be enough to seal promotion. Orbit coach Pogiso Makhoye was full of praise for his players and said they knew this was their moment this season after they went toe-to-toe with Durban City in the MFC. 'It was difficult, I didn't prepare the team for the first two games as I was sick,' Makhoye told SuperSport TV after the game. 'I would like to thank Mpumi and Nkosana [PSL chair and Orlando Pirates owner Irvin Khoza's children] for guiding me. Those are my mentors and congratulations to them, and I'm very proud of myself because they believed in me to say, 'One day you will make history'. Tshepo 'Jomo' Matsemela is back in the big time 🤩🙌 Look at what promotion means to the Orbit College players 👇 #SSDiski | #BetwayPrem — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) June 25, 2025 'We deserve to be here because we were the second-best team in the MFC. We took Durban City toe-to-toe to the last day and we knew that this was our moment we needed to promote this team. 'And thanks to the people of Bokone Bophirima [the North West] — they were starving for [Premiership] football. 'I wanted to create a legacy even when I started with this club. It was a college team and I said one day I needed to promote it to MFC and then take it to the Premiership. And I'm happy I have delivered that to the North West people.' City interim coach Diogo Peral was disappointed with the result. 'What can we do? We had a lot of chances to put them away and we didn't do it,' he said.
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Kaizer Chiefs eye Siphesihle Ndlovu: SuperSport responds
Kaizer Chiefs have reportedly set their sights on SuperSport United midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu, but the club has moved swiftly to secure his immediate future amidst growing transfer rumours. Ndlovu, who rose to prominence as the PSL Young Player of the Season, initially made headlines when he joined Orlando Pirates in 2019 from Maritzburg United. Over the course of three seasons in Soweto, the energetic midfielder averaged 22 appearances per campaign under various coaches before being loaned out to SuperSport United following the arrival of Jose Riveiro. The 2022/2023 season saw Ndlovu cement his place in SuperSport's midfield, prompting the club to sign him on a permanent deal. Despite the team's struggles last season, narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day, Kaizer Chiefs have reportedly shown strong interest in bringing the 26-year-old to Naturena. With his initial two-year deal from 2023 nearing its end in June, speculation arose that he could leave on a free. However, Ndlovu's agent Jazzman Mahlakgane has confirmed that SuperSport have exercised the one-year extension clause in his contract. 'They (SuperSport) have actually taken the option, they have exercised it last week. One year,' Mahlakgane said. Asked whether any formal interest had come from other clubs. Mahlakgane remained coy, citing ongoing uncertainty around SuperSport United's future ownership. 'Not that I know of, because of this thing that SuperSport may be gone or may be around. So, I'm waiting to hear from SuperSport (on the club's future),' he explained. With the squad expected to return for pre-season training this weekend. Ndlovu's next steps could become clearer as SuperSport management prepares to address internal matters. Can Kaizer Chiefs lure Ndlovu despite extension? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
