The Moroccan Mastermind: Ouaddou Silenced The Sceptics To Build Pirates’ Greatest Ever Treble Machine
In modern South African football, few coaches have transformed doubt into dominance quite like Abdeslam Ouaddou, who guided Orlando Pirates to a historic third Premier Soccer League-era treble in his very first season at the club.
When Pirates appointed the 47-year-old Moroccan mentor in July 2025, many supporters and football analysts questioned the decision. The criticism intensified after the Buccaneers lost their opening two league matches of the season, with many believing the club had made the wrong choice following the departure of former coach Jose Riveiro.
However, Ouaddou quickly silenced the doubters and went on to write his own chapter in the club’s rich history. Under his leadership, Pirates won the MTN8, Carling Knockout, and Betway Premiership titles, with the latter coming this past weekend, ending the club’s 14-year wait for league glory.
The Buccaneers last lifted the league trophy during the 2011/12 season — the same campaign in which they secured their previous treble.
From Gallants Success to Pirates Glory
Before joining Pirates, Ouaddou had already started building his reputation in South African football. During the second half of the 2024/25 campaign, he took charge of Marumo Gallants and immediately impressed observers.
One of the highlights of his short stint at Gallants was victories over both Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, performances that may have convinced the Buccaneers’ hierarchy that he was the right man to continue the project started by Riveiro.
Preseason Preparation in Spain
Ouaddou also used the preseason tour in Spain to fine-tune his squad ahead of the campaign. Pirates faced strong European opposition, including Bolton Wanderers, Pafos FC, UD Las Palmas and Granada CF, testing themselves against different styles and intensities in preparation for the domestic season.
Riveiro had already laid a strong foundation after winning five trophies since arriving at Pirates during the 2022/23 season. Yet Ouaddou managed to elevate the project further by bringing league success back to Mayfair.
Making PSL History
Pirates’ latest achievement is historic because it marks the first time any club has won a PSL-era treble on three separate occasions since the formation of the Premier Soccer League in 1996.
The Buccaneers first achieved the feat during the 2010/11 season under Dutch coach Ruud Krol. That side won the league title, MTN8 and Nedbank Cup, while also reaching the Carling Knockout final before losing to Chiefs.
Pirates repeated the achievement in the 2011/12 season, winning the league, MTN8 and Carling Knockout. The campaign started under Brazilian coach Julio Leal, who was later dismissed before Augusto Palacios took over and guided the team to the league title.
Now, Ouaddou has ensured his name stands alongside those legendary coaches after guiding the club to a third treble in his debut season.
Smart Recruitment Changed Everything
A major reason behind Pirates’ success this season was Ouaddou’s aggressive recruitment strategy. The club signed 13 new players to strengthen the squad and create competition across all departments.
Those signings included Lebone Seema, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Mpho Chabatsane, Nkosikhona Ndaba, Sihle Nduli, Sipho Mbule, Masindi Nemtajela, Abdoulaye Mariko, Andre de Jong, Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Daniel Msendami and Yanela Mbuthuma.
Several of those players immediately became key figures in the team’s success.
Defensive Solidity Behind Pirates’ Success
Seema and Ndaba played a massive role in transforming Pirates into the strongest defensive unit in the league. The Buccaneers conceded only 12 league goals throughout the campaign, with Seema featuring in almost every match.
Despite his consistency and commanding performances, Seema was surprisingly left out of the preliminary Bafana Bafana FIFA World Cup squad, a decision many supporters felt was harsh considering his form this season.
Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine also enjoyed a historic campaign, becoming the first goalkeeper in PSL history to record 21 clean sheets in a single league season.
Appollis, Moremi and Mofokeng Shine
One of the standout performers this season was Oswin Appollis, who adapted brilliantly in his debut campaign at Pirates. The winger scored 12 goals and provided nine assists in 43 matches across all competitions, making him one of the favourites for the Footballer of the Year award.
Tshepang Moremi also played a major role in the treble-winning season. In his first campaign at the club, Moremi scored 11 goals and registered five assists in 39 appearances, strengthening his case for a Footballer of the Season nomination.
Another player who once again demonstrated his quality was Relebohile Mofokeng. The young star finished top of the Betway Premiership standings for Man of the Match awards with six and continued to prove why he is regarded as one of the country’s brightest talents.
Mofokeng contributed 11 goals and nine assists in 36 matches across all competitions and also deserves serious consideration for the Footballer of the Season award.
Sibisi’s Leadership and a Perfect Ending
Club captain Nkosinathi Sibisi also made history after officially taking over the captaincy ahead of the 2025/26 season following the retirement of Innocent Maela.
With Tapelo Xoki and the departed Mbekezeli Mbokazi serving as vice-captains, Sibisi successfully led Pirates to their third treble despite doubts over whether he could handle the responsibility.
The first captain to guide Pirates to a treble was club legend Lucky Lekgwathi, who captained the team during both the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons.
In a fitting symbolic moment, Lekgwathi was the man who officially handed the league trophy to the Buccaneers after their 2-0 victory over Orbit College at the Mbombela Stadium on the final day of the season.
For many, that moment perfectly captured what this campaign represented — the rebirth of Pirates as the dominant force in South African football under the leadership of Ouaddou.
