Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has given a clearer indication of his plans for next season after thanking his backroom staff in a post on Instagram.<\/p>\n
The Moroccan capped off a superb debut season at Mayfair by guiding the Buccaneers to their first Betway Premiership title in 14 years as they dethroned Mamelodi Sundowns on the final day of the campaign.<\/p>\n
Ouaddou built on the foundations laid by Jose Riveiro, winning the domestic treble following his success in the MTN 8 and Carling Knockout in the first half of 2025-26.<\/p>\n
But the 46-year-old cast doubt on his future after saying in the immediate aftermath of his side’s 2-0 victory over Orbit College that the Pirates job had drained him both physically and emotionally and that he was “tired”. <\/p>\n
Fast forward two weeks later and Ouaddou has hinted at staying on for the Soweto giants’ assault on the CAF Champions League next term. <\/p>\n
His message in full on Instagram reads:<\/p>\n
To my incredible and dedicated Staff,<\/p>\n
I am writing these few words from the bottom of my heart to send you my most sincere congratulations and my deepest thanks. Thank you for your hard work, your invaluable expertise, your constant dedication, your sacrifices, and above all, for your boundless love for football and for our club, the Orlando Pirates.<\/p>\n
As evidenced by the wonderful memory of our victorious crew in those photos, we have accomplished a monumental amount of work this season. Together, we have put an end to a 14-year drought. Like true pirates, we have sailed every sea and ocean, braving the storms, to finally bring the treasure home!<\/p>\n
This season, we managed to make our wonderful (and oh so demanding) fans deeply happy. I wholeheartedly hope that we continue to bring this immense joy into their daily lives next season.<\/p>\n
But for now, I ask you to rest well and enjoy your families to the fullest. I expressly need it myself! Disconnect and recharge your batteries, because I will need you again to carry out a special mission when we return: to go and recover another massive Treasure at the CAF, without letting anyone steal the one already sitting in our cave!<\/p>\n
Have a great rest, Everyone, and come back in shape for a great new adventure. I embrace you, I love you all.<\/p>\n
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Abdeslam Ouaddou hints at staying with Pirates in a heartfelt message on Instagram.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":1666,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[100,55,56],"class_list":["post-1665","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-local-news","tag-abdeslam-ouaddou","tag-betway-premiership","tag-orlando-pirates"],"yoast_head":"\n