Orlando Pirates News Today: Ouaddou hints at quitting, millions Bucs will bank & more

Latest news about Orlando Pirates including a bombshell from coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, their prize money for winning the league and who they will face in the MTN8.

Ouaddou hints at quitting Pirates

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has thrown his future in doubt after saying that he is not sure about continuing at the club as he feels “tired.”

Ouaddou delivered the PSL title to Pirates, ending a 14-year wait, following a 2-0 win over Orbit College on Saturday, but when fans are hoping for more, the captain of the title-winning vessel looks like he is jumping ship.

🎙️ ℂ𝕆𝔸ℂℍ'𝕊 ℝ𝔼𝔸ℂ𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ 🤔

🗣️ "𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥"

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has indicated that he may not be able to continue leading the Buccaneers due to fatigue!

🚨 LIVE
📺 SABC 1
🌐 https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootball #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/kbjX9kyk3o

— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 23, 2026

“I work with passion, I work with love and it’s difficult to lead such a big team like Orlando Pirates. It was a very difficult season and I’m tired, I’m very very tired,” he told SABC TV as quoted by iDiski Times.

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

“I need energy, I need power. Without energy. It will be difficult to continue. We will sit. I’m speaking with emotions. It was a long season with lots of pressure. And we’ll speak, we will see.”

How much will Bucs bank for winning PSL title?

Orlando Pirates will boost their bank balance significantly following their crowning as PSL champions on Saturday.

Pirates won their first league title since 2012 when Abdeslam Ouaddou’s team beat Orbit College 2-0 and they are in line to pocket R20 million which is the prize money for teams that emerge champions.

The amount was raised after the PSL sealed a deal with betting firm Betway ahead of the 2024-25 season with Mamelodi Sundowns pocketing the first prize last year. This is the highest prize money paid out to league champions in Africa.

MTN Quarter-final: Who will Pirates start with?

Orlando Pirates will begin their MTN8 title defence against Nedbank Cup winners Durban City while Kaizer Chiefs have a tricky match against Golden Arrows.

Mamelodi Sundowns will take on Polokwane City while AmaZulu clash with Sekhukhune United. The dates for the 2026 MTN8 have not been released yet.