Emotional Ouaddou thankful to be alive after horror accident

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is thankful that he is alive and able to continue with his duties following an accident that left him and five others injured.

Ouaddou was among six Pirates personnel who were left with injuries just before the international break when they were hit by a pickup truck as they were aiding victims of a car accident on their way to Johannesburg following the Buccaneers’ 3-0 league win over Chippa United.

Pirates confirmed that the victims had been taken to hospital with media reports saying defender Thapelo Xoki was among those injured and needed scans to discover the extent of his injury while another staff member was reported to have fractured his leg.

Pirates coach recounts near death experience

It has now been known that Ouaddou sustained an injury on his right arm after he showed up for training wearing an arm sling and he has expressed his appreciation for the support he received in hospital and from the football fraternity.

“I’m very proud to reach the final with my players and for the club as well. I’m a bit emotional, of course,” Ouaddou told the media ahead of his team’s MTN8 final against Stellenbosch on Saturday as quoted by Hollywood Bets.

“But not emotional for reaching the final, but emotional for being able to speak to you (media) today. Even though I had said I didn’t want to come back to the event (the accident), I have to thank all the personnel of the hospital and all the South African competencies,” he added, expressing his delight at having survived the scary moment to continue with his coaching duties.

Ouaddou won’t allow injury to derail him  

“They did a very big job for me to be able to be here and be able to sit and speak to you and to be able to manage the game this weekend. So, thanks to all the personnel, from the cleaners to the doctors, the chefs and everybody in that hospital,” said the Pirates coach.

“I will not change anything. I will prepare for the game with my players as we have done since the beginning, with a lot of professionalism and analyse the opponent to try and find the weaknesses of that team.”

 Ouaddou is determined not to let the accident and his injury come between his team’s preparations as Pirates look to win a fourth straight MTN8 trophy at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday evening.