Ouaddou steps into a hot seat but he has the tools to have a season to remember

There is no gentle breeze awaiting Abdeslam Ouaddou — only the furnace of expectation.

When he takes his place on the Orlando Pirates bench, he will not simply be stepping into a job; he will be stepping into a legacy.

The seat he now occupies is still warm from the weight of José Riveiro’s successful tenure, and with it comes the pressure of upholding a standard carved in silverware. The Moroccan tactician now finds himself at the centre of South African football’s fiercest storm.

Replacing the ever-successful Riveiro — who departed at the end of last season after securing five trophies in just three years — Ouaddou inherits a side that no longer needs resurrection but refinement.

Riveiro arrived when Pirates were mired in inconsistency, desperately needing direction. Ouaddou, in contrast, takes over a side riding high on momentum, having just completed one of their strongest campaigns in recent memory. Despite falling 13 points short of serial winners Mamelodi Sundowns, Pirates’ season reignited imaginations, with the MTN8 their only reward.

Yet, beneath all the promise lies an undeniable truth: it has been 13 long years since the Buccaneers last lifted a league title. That drought stretches back to a golden era, when Pirates claimed back-to-back double trebles—a period etched into the annals of club history.

To recreate that magic in the modern game will take something extraordinary—especially against a Sundowns outfit that grows stronger and more settled with each passing season.

The former Marumo Gallants coach will not have the luxury of time. He must immediately match, if not exceed, the rhythm set by his predecessor while steering the Buccaneers towards the one prize that continues to elude them.

During his brief tenure with Gallants, Ouaddou made an impact — guiding the club to survival and securing impressive victories over Kaizer Chiefs (2-1) and Pirates themselves (2-0). That pedigree has earned him this opportunity, but expectations at Mayfair are of a different magnitude.

Continuity will favour Sundowns, so any early missteps could prove costly. The good news for Ouaddou, however, is that the tools at his disposal are formidable.

Nine new signings have already been secured, with Sipho Mbule and Oswin Appollis standing out as marquee arrivals. These additions bolster a squad already primed to compete on all fronts — a finely tuned machine that needs only minor calibration, not a rebuild.

While Riveiro’s strength lay in meticulous preparation and a calm sideline presence, Ouaddou brings with him the aura of a man who has lived football at the highest level. That experience may be key to quickly establishing authority and trust within the dressing room.

Crucially, he will not need to tear down to build anew. The foundation is solid. What is needed now is a steady hand, not sweeping change.

His first steps in charge will come on the club’s pre-season tour of Spain. In a recent interview with the club’s official channel, Ouaddou spoke with clarity, composure, and confidence — ticking many of the early boxes. But the true test awaits next month when Pirates begin their MTN8 title defence against a dangerous Polokwane City side eager to play spoiler.

For Ouaddou, the journey begins not in comfort but in challenge—and with the right decisions, it could end in glory.