Ouaddou Unsure Of Future After Title Win

Title-winning Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says he is unsure if he will remain at the helm next season, admitting that a grueling campaign has left him exhausted.

Ouaddou led Pirates to the Betway Premiership title on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over the relegated Orbit College at Mbombela Stadium in the season finale.

The triumph secured a historic third treble for the club in the PSL era, adding to the MTN8 and Carling Knockout trophies won earlier in the season.

The Buccaneers could have wrapped up the league title last weekend, but a failure to beat Durban City delayed the celebrations.

The prolonged title race clearly took a physical and mental toll on Ouaddou, who replaced José Riveiro during the off-season.

“About me, I work with passion; I work with love, and it’s difficult to lead such a big club as Orlando Pirates. It was a very difficult season, and I’m tired — very, very tired,” Ouaddou told SABC Sport after the match.

“To be able to lead such a ship, you need to be fit. I will sit down and think. I will discuss it with my management as well. I’m tired. As for next season, we will speak about what can happen.

“I need energy, I need power. Without energy, it will be difficult to continue with the mission.

“We will sit down and talk. I’m speaking with emotion. It was a long season with a lot of pressure. We will speak, and we will see.”

Ouaddou’s situation draws parallels to his predecessor, Riveiro, who left Pirates at the end of the previous season citing a need for a break and a desire to be closer to his family before a brief, unsuccessful stint at Egypt’s Al Ahly.

It is fair to assume that Ouaddou was speaking from a place of raw emotion, reflecting the immense pressure of chasing down Mamelodi Sundowns and wrestling the league trophy back to Mayfair for the first time since the 2011/12 season.

Perhaps after the 2026 FIFA World Cup break, the coach will return fully recharged and ready to go again next season.