Orlando Pirates Transfer News: Break the Bank! Bucs warned against making grave mistake

Orlando Pirates have been warned about letting their coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, leave after just one season with them.

The former Morocco international defender took over at Bucs at the beginning of the 2025/26 season, replacing Jose Riveiro, who had been with the Sea Robbers for three years before opting against extending his stay. During that campaign, the Soweto giants finished second in the Premier Soccer League but won three MTN8 crowns and two Nedbank Cups.

In his debut campaign with the Buccaneers, Ouaddou ended the 14-year PSL drought by winning the title, as well as the Nedbank Cup and the MTN8, which the club has now won for the fourth time in a row.

Reports have it that the 47-year-old is already wanted by some teams for the 2026/27 season. The achievement with Pirates, especially stopping Mamelodi Sundowns from winning their ninth consecutive South African title, has not gone unnoticed.

Pirates urged to break the bank

Ex-Bafana Bafana international has explained why Bucs should ensure the tactician is retained.

“We are not going to understand this situation [speculation about Ouaddou’s future]. It might be his contract, it might be a lot of different things that we don’t know about,” he said as quoted FARPost. 

“One thing I can explain is that it’s a very difficult thing to win the championship. So you don’t let go of someone who has just won the championship. Building towards the championship takes a long time, in fact, years.

“They [Pirates] have a very good coach, they have got Ouaddou, who was able to plug in and continue from where Riveiro left. Pirates can’t take that for granted. 

“They know how difficult it is to win the championship. They have to do everything, even if it means breaking the bank to keep the guy. It takes a special coach to win the championship, and Ouaddou did just that. Don’t take the whole thing for granted,” Zuma concluded.