Ouaddou brings African pride and purpose to Pirates’ continental campaign

ABDESLAM Ouaddou is a true African. He’s been heaping praise about the continent's competencies both on and off the pitch.

- MIHLALI BALEKA

Ouaddou arrived at Pirates this season, replacing head coach Jose Riveiro. He explained that he didn't bring his own trusted lieutenants, who are based in Europe, as he fully believed that the African-born technical team would succeed at the club.

True to his belief Ouaddou and his backroom staff delivered their first trophy at the first attempt—the MTN8—which was the record-extending fourth Wafa Wafa crown.

And that’s not all. After being involved in a serious car accident in Kempton while trying to help trapped passengers—alongside some members of his technical team and defender Tapelo Xoki—Ouaddou was full of praise for the African medical specialists that helped him return to the dugout, though still in an elbow brace.

He has continental coaching experience, having coached AS Vita Club in the CAF Confederation Cup last season, but Ouaddou knows that coaching in the continent’s premier club knockout competition, the Champions League, is the ceiling in inter-club football.