Latest news with #Riveiro
The Citizen
a day ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ndah declares he's ready for Pirates' return after injury layoff
It's been a long time out, and I had to go through a lot of rehabs,' said Ndah. Orlando Pirates defender Olisa Ndah says he is ready for the new season. Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix After recovering from his long-term injury, Orlando Pirates defender Olisa Ndah has declared his readiness for the upcoming season. Ndah spent several months sidelined with a recurring injury last season. The Nigerian centre-back missed the club's pre-season training camp in Spain. WATCH – Pirates poke fun at Chiefs over MTN8 failure However, after finally making the full recovery and starting training with the rest of the team, the Super Eagles defender says he is eager to return to competitive action for the Buccaneers. 'I'm ready to go. It's been a long time out, and I had to go through a lot of rehabs,' Ndah told eNCA. 'Honestly, it feels like I'm playing for the first time again because it's been so long. Just being able to train with the team again has been a great feeling.' With the MTN8 coming up this coming weekend, where Pirates are at home in Orlando against Polokwane City FC, Ndah admitted he missed the matchday experience during his time on the sidelines. 'I've missed the fans, the stadium atmosphere, everything. Heading into the MTN8, we know how important it is. Every competition matters, but right now, we're taking things one day at a time.' As Pirates begin their MTN8 title defence on Saturday with a quarterfinal clash against Rise and Shine, Ndah is optimistic that the Buccaneers can create another record by winning it for the fourth time on a trot. 'I don't mind winning it over and over again. The feeling never changes. This is a big club with high expectations, and this season, we're going for everything.' Meanwhile, all eyes will be on the new Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou this weekend to see if he can replicate the start of his predecessor Jose Riveiro and win the MTN8 in his first season in charge of the Buccaneers. Riveiro, who joined the Buccaneers in 2022, won the competition that same year, edging AmaZulu 1-0 in the final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Monnapule Saleng scored the only goal of the match. The Spaniard went on to win the MTN8 in 2023 and 2024. ALSO READ: Kekana backs Sundowns stars for top individual PSL awards Just like when Riveiro arrived in 2022, there's skepticism around Ouaddou's appointment as a Pirates coach, with many expressing doubts if he is a capable replacement for Riveiro, who left the Buccaneers to join Egyptian giants Al-Ahly. What better way to silence those doubters than by winning the MTN8 on the first attempt?
The South African
5 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
'Abdeslam Ouaddou will surpass Riveiro's achievements'
Orlando Pirates legend Edward Motale believes the new Bucs coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, can surpass Jose Riveiro. The Spaniard won five trophies in three years with the Buccaneers before leaving for Ah Ahly in May. During his tenure with the Soweto giants, Riveiro reached the CAF Champions League semi-final last season and also led the team to six finals. Motale think new coach Ouaddou can achieve the same success. '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 and this group of players, Orlando Pirates will definitely win the league this coming season,' Motale said. Ouaddou's first task is to win the MTN8, which Riveiro won in his first season. The Buccaneers play Polokwane City in the quarter-finals of the competition next week. 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.
The South African
6 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
'He was extremely upset': Jose Riveiro misses chance to reunite with Pirates?
Al Ahly head coach Jose Riveiro is reportedly upset with the club's management's decision not to allow to team to travel to Spain for their pre-season. The 49-year-old Spanish coach joined the Red Devils in May from Orlando Pirates where he won five trophies in three years. During his time with the Buccaneers, Riveiro took his team to Spain twice for pre-season, which was one of the reasons why the Sea Robbers were successful. According to Journalist Medhat Shalaby, the former Bucs coach wanted Al Ahly to have their pre-season in his native country, where he believed conditions would be more favourable for preparation. 'Al Ahly had agreed to hold a training camp in Spain, and the Spaniard Jose Riveiro wanted to hold the camp in his country, especially since the atmosphere in Spain is completely different from that in Tunisia at the moment,' Shalaby said per Elwatan News . 'The Spaniard, Riveiro, after learning that the camp would be held in Tunisia, expressed his great anger and was extremely upset. 'The Al-Ahly management convinced him and told him that the Etoile Sportive du Sahel club would cover the costs,' he added. 'In the end, Etoile Sportive du Sahel apologised, and the two friendly matches for Al-Ahly club will be held against both Stade Tunisien (already played) and Bizertin.' Jose Riveiro could possibly have reunited with Orlando Pirates, given that the Buccaneers' pre-season was recently held in Spain. 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.
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Abdeslam Ouaddou promises a better version of Reveiro's Orlando Pirates
NEW Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, left, promises to improve the side as he shakes his predecessor Jose Riveiro's hand. | BackpagePix Orlando Pirates' new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says the team has reached the end of a 'process', hence they'll have to fight for honours next season. Ouaddou recently took over the reins at Pirates after his predecessor Jose Riveiro left the club amid the expiry of his contract to join Al Ahly. The Moroccan-born coach has bigger shoes to fill as he builds on a conrete foundation that Riveiro laid and take the team to dizzy heights. Ouaddou must continue to ensure that Pirates are still the 'Cup Kings', while returning them back to the pinnacle of SA football for the first time since 2012. The former Marumo Gallants' coach, speaking in an exclusive interview with Pirates TV yesterday, said he's ready for the task that lies ahead. 'We are (going to be) very ambitious - the players and staff,' Ouaddou said. 'What we can promise (the fans) is that they'll see a very strong team this season. 'We'll be very ambitious, with a strong character and personality. (In the end) we will be a winning team.' Ouaddou is not naive, though, thinking that everything will be easy. That's why he wants to continue with where Riveiro has left off, and then instill a winning habit. 'It's a big challenge, and the club is well organised. But they've arrived at a stage where they need to go forward,' Ouaddou explained. 'They did a fantastic job during the previous years. We have to congratulate Riveiro - he's a fantastic man and did a fantastic job. Thanks to the board which supported him. 'They had a strong vision, and allowed people to work. But perhaps, we've now arrived at the end of the project of five years. 'People now need victories, and trophies. I am very passionate and ready for that. Of course, there's pressure everywhere … but it's a good pressure.'
IOL News
27-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Orlando Pirates' latest coaching gamble echoes Jose Riveiro's yesteryear surprise appointment
Orlando Pirates have rolled the dice again. Three years ago, when Orlando Pirates made the controversial choice to recruit relatively unknown Spaniard Jose Riveiro as their head coach, scepticism flooded sports forums. Many questioned the wisdom of one of Africa's most storied clubs looking to Finland's First Division for inspiration, especially considering the nation's modest ranking of 69th in the world. Fast forward to this week, and the sea of doubt has resurfaced, but this time directed at the new head coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou. Riveiro's tenure did not start very well, but instead of firing him, Pirates persevered with him, much to the disgust of the club's demanding supporters who mocked him by labelling him a 'plumber'. This is a common term used by locals as a veiled reference to an unknown coach, hailing from a relatively obscure coaching background. The quiet Spaniard surprised many by leading the Pirates to significant victories, including lifting the MTN8 trophy in 2022. His adept blend of strategy and a fresh take on football impressed both supporters and critics alike. The calculated risk had yielded unexpected rewards. The Moroccan-born Ouaddou's first coaching appointment was with Algeria's national football team as an apprentice coach in 2020. He worked alongside Frenchman Djamel Belmadi, a vastly experienced coach. When Ouaddou joined Marumo Gallants last season, he brought a fresh approach that was needed to save the club from relegation, and he did so in style with a shock win over Pirates. The Pirates, known for their rich history and passionate following, have opted for Ouaddou instead of coaches like Pitso Mosimane and Rhulani Mokwena, both of whom are presently jobless. Pirates' management will need to harness patience and support for Ouaddou as he embarks on this challenging journey. Like Riveiro, Ouaddou must navigate the complexities of South African football, which is fraught with expectations from a fanbase eager for success. The pressure to perform is immense. If results do not materialise sooner rather than later, the fog of inefficiency will cloud the Mayfair-based team's ambitions for success. The risk was glaringly apparent during Riveiro's tenure, but the initial gamble became a defining chapter in the club's recent history, culminating in exciting performances and revitalised enthusiasm among supporters. As Ouaddou begins crafting a philosophy that aligns with Pirates' ethos, he may yet become the next unexpected success story in the club's illustrious narrative. No doubt, fans will be wondering if Ouaddou will replicate the magic that Riveiro and hope that this audacious move pays dividends in the quest for glory.
