Latest news with #Ouaddou
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Ouaddou demanding set-piece efficiency from Pirates, says Mabasa
Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa has given an insight into how new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is trying to improve the club's performance in set pieces ahead of the new season. 'Coach Ouaddou is trying to improve the areas where we lacked last season,' Mabasa said. 'The biggest thing I have noticed about the coach is he is very demanding, [and] he loves his players at the same time.' Ouaddou joined the Buccaneers in the off season, taking over from Jose Riveiro, and was in charge of the preseason camp in Spain. Mabasa said the Moroccan's priority is getting the team better at defending set pieces. 'He is also encouraging and similar to coach Jose. There is not a lot the coach is trying to change, just the way we defend our set pieces and how we deal with our transition too. 𝐀 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐭 Orlando Pirates players participated in a successful media drive in our 2025/26 kit, followed by an exclusive pre-screening of the upcoming documentary #GiantsonDStv Don't miss the official broadcast this Sunday, 27 July at 21:00 on… — Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) July 25, 2025 'We lost the Caf Champions League [semifinal] because of the set play. We went to Pyramids, and we conceded three goals from set pieces and we were out of the tournament. 'It's funny, actually, how we lost the Champions League on a set piece, yet in the country we were the best in terms of defending that. There are a lot of things we have to take into consideration this season.' The Buccaneers bought several new players ahead of the new season. Mabasa has been impressed with how quickly they have adjusted and said their preseason camp in Spain helped bond the signings with their new teammates and Bucs' philosophy. 'The trip to Spain allowed us to integrate them [the new players] away from all the noise in the country. 'You look at [Sipho] Mbule, for example, and his performances in the friendly games; you look at [Oswin] Appollis too. Now it's just for them to come back home and do it here.' Pirates start their MTN8 title defence against Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium on Saturday (3pm). MTN8 fixtures Saturday: Sunday:
The South African
4 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: Ouaddou wants more exits
Orlando Pirates are not done trimming their squad ahead of the new season. According to the latest transfer update, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou wants to work with a smaller squad for the upcoming season. In light of their new coach's decision, five more players have been linked with the exit door at the club! READ MORE • Mamelodi Sundowns star set for European switch! READ MORE • R20 million Mamelodi Sundowns star wanted by Siwelele FC! The Buccaneers have already said their goodbyes to a host of first team players. And new reports suggest it doesn't end there! 'new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is believed to be finalising his squad for the first half of the new to Siya sources,' a Soccer Laduma report read. 'Ouaddou is not expected to work with more than 35 players in his squad as he looks to implement a more focused and competitive environment at the club.' The publication further claims that Orlando Pirates could either release or loan the following players out. Ayanda Zulu Gilberto Siphelo Baloni Selaelo Rasebotja Katlego Otladisa READ MORE • How much Pirates paid for Oswin Appollis! Considering all of the changes at Orlando Pirates, where do you think they'll finish on the Betway Premiership log standings? Can they lift the title? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@ 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.
The South African
5 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: Coach Ouaddou backed to surpass Riveiro
Orlando Pirates legend Edward Motale has thrown his support behind new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, boldly predicting that the Moroccan mentor will surpass the achievements of his predecessor, Jose Riveiro. Ouaddou takes over a finely-tuned club after Riveiro led Pirates to six finals and five trophies in three seasons. However, Motale believes the new man in charge brings something different. 'What I appreciate about him is that he has played the game at the highest level,' Motale told KickOff . 'So he understands what it takes to succeed in football.' Ouaddou's first official test will come in the MTN8 quarter-finals against Polokwane City. Riveiro famously won the competition in his debut season, and expectations are high that Ouaddou can repeat that feat. Motale, who captained Orlando Pirates to the 1995 CAF Champions League title, is encouraged by the squad Ouaddou is assembling. With ten signings made so far, competition is fierce across all positions. 'You can see that the coach believes in hard work and youth,' said Motale. 'He's done his research. The team he has put together will compete strongly this season.' The former Marumo Gallants coach was praised for the impact he had at the Limpopo-based club late last season. Despite joining with only five games remaining, he managed to steady the ship and gain respect from players and supporters alike. 'If he had arrived earlier, he would have done even better with them,' said Motale. 'He brought direction to that team.' With Ouaddou's vision, the depth of the squad, and a renewed sense of purpose, the Buccaneers are aiming to challenge for top honours. 'Orlando Pirates will definitely win the league this coming season,' Motale predicted. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Orlando Pirates must go all in to end Mamelodi Sundowns' reign
New Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou faces the challenge of building on Jose Riveiro's foundation while plotting to dethrone serial champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Second place surely cannot be good enough this time around for Orlando Pirates. Bridesmaids to Mamelodi Sundowns in the league for the past two seasons, the Buccaneers must be hell-bent on usurping the Brazilians in the upcoming campaign. They showed last season that they can run Sundowns close, having significantly narrowed the points gap compared to the season before. The big question, though, is whether the change of coach will have a positive or negative effect on Pirates' ambitions. Jose Riveiro managed to give Sundowns a run for their money because he had been at the club for three seasons and had already established a winning formula and built a trusted team that he stuck with. That continuity could well be affected this time around, with new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou likely to want to build his own team. But why fix it if it isn't broken, right? Logic would suggest that the Moroccan should carry on where the Spaniard left off if Pirates are to remain competitive and continue to be the side most likely to hassle Sundowns for the Betway Premiership title. Coaches are different, though, and while Ouaddou will no doubt want to build on the solid foundation Riveiro left behind before moving to Al Ahly in Egypt, he will also be keen to put his personal stamp on the team. He will be helped in that regard by the fact that the club have made some significant signings, bringing in big-name players who were surely not bought to warm the bench. During the club's pre-season tour of Spain, he gave some of those players a run, and one thing is now certain: unlike under Riveiro, the Pirates starting line-up will no longer be predictable. How could it be, when Ouaddou has, for example, a myriad of superb central midfielders to choose from? The arrivals of Sipho Mbule, Msindi Nemtajela, Sihle Nduli, Tshepang Moremi, Tshepo Mashiloane and Oswin Appollis mean the battle for starting berths will be intensely competitive — and that can only drive performance levels higher across the squad. What will excite Ouaddou even more is the versatility of some of these new players — including Sinoxolo Kwayiba and Nksokhona Ndaba — which will offer him numerous tactical options. That Pirates have gone so big in the transfer market — even as they've released several players — is a clear signal that they have taken note of Sundowns' winning model. The Brazilians' dominance is built on the ability to field different starting line-ups while maintaining high performance. Their bench is stacked with quality, and in-game changes rarely weaken the team. This was not the case for Pirates in recent campaigns, but now it appears they finally have the depth to compete from the bench. They impressed on the continent last season, reaching the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League with a limited squad, having also won the MTN8 and reached the Nedbank Cup final. Their pedigree in knockout competitions is without question. But their biggest challenge this coming season must be in the league, where they have not tasted success since the 2011/12 season. Stopping Sundowns from winning a ninth successive title has to be their top priority — and the signs suggest they have assembled a squad capable of doing just that. But can they?
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates news: Mofokeng price tag, MTN8 fitness doubts
Orlando Pirates may be counting the cost of their European pre-season. Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has hinted that several players are carrying knocks, just weeks out from the MTN8 Cup. Although he didn't reveal names, Ouaddou's vague injury update has sparked concern. 'The game is played by young men,' he told local media. 'Swelling and niggles are normal.' The injuries could prove disruptive, with Pirates set to face Polokwane City in the tournament's quarter-finals. The match will also be a test for new signings like Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi, should they be fit to feature. The bigger distraction, however, remains the future of Relebohile Mofokeng. PSV are the latest club pushing hard to sign the Orlando Pirates wonderkid. And the numbers being discussed are staggering. 'The R100 million talk is misleading,' a source said. 'It was initially R120 million.' That hasn't stopped interest, nor has it silenced Mofokeng's father. Sechaba Mofokeng made it clear he doesn't want his son playing in South Africa next season. 'Spain, England, Netherlands — Rele can play anywhere. But not Saudi Arabia. He needs to experience UEFA football,' he said. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
