Former Orlando Pirates coach José Riveiro showed that pedigree in cup finals does not always guarantee success — what matters most is how you prepare for the big occasion.
When Riveiro arrived in South Africa, his only piece of silverware was the 2017/18 Finnish Cup with HJK Helsinki. Yet three seasons later, he departed with five trophies, one runners-up medal, and a CAF Champions League semi-final appearance at the first attempt. Tactically, he had even outsmarted eventual champions Pyramids FC — only undone by his team’s inability to defend set-pieces in blustery conditions in Cairo.
Now enters Abdeslam Ouaddou, his successor. Eight games into the job, the Franco-Moroccan tactician finds himself tasked with leading the Buccaneers to another final. His first assignment is no small feat: defending the MTN-8 title that Riveiro won three times in a row.
Like Riveiro, Ouaddou’s coaching CV may not sparkle with silverware. His biggest achievement as a manager came in 2024 when he guided AS Vita to victory in the Congolese Cup. Much of his pedigree in cup competitions, however, stems from his illustrious playing career.
Ouaddou was part of the Morocco side that reached the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations final, losing 2-1 to hosts Tunisia, and he went on to represent his country in two AFCON tournaments, amassing over 90 international caps. He also played at the very highest levels of European football, winning the UEFA Intertoto Cup with Fulham in 2002, lifting the Greek Super League title with Olympiacos in 2007, and later claiming the Qatar Stars League with Al-Duhail SC in 2010.
Unlike Riveiro — who never played professional football but built his reputation on man-management — Ouaddou boasts elite playing experience, something that has already shaped his calm and composed approach. Ahead of Saturday’s MTN8 final against Stellenbosch FC, he appeared unfazed, speaking with quiet assurance about his methods.
“Regarding the event [cup final] … my only target is to prepare the game with my players like we did in the beginning — with lots of professionalism,” Ouaddou said.
“We will analyse the team, try to find their weaknesses, and see how we can unbalance them. At the same time, we will look to improve some areas that we could have done better in the first league game. But what I can assure you is that it will not be easy.”
Ouaddou began his preparations without eight of his key figures, Sipho Chaine, Relebohile Mofokeng, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Sipho Mbule, Thalente Mbatha, Kamogelo Sebelebele, and Oswin Appollis, who were on Bafana Bafana duty in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria, as well as Deon Hotto, who was away with the Namibian national team.
The 46-year-old coach, however, refused to use their absence as an excuse.
“I think it doesn’t affect our work — it’s part and parcel of being a big club,” he said.
“Pirates are a big club, we have internationals, and we have to deal with that. The main part of the job has already been done — we have taught these players our principles.
“Of course, we keep in touch with them in many ways to keep them aware about the final. They are very close to us even when they are with their national teams. We are also working very hard with the players that are here. We’re preparing well and everybody is focused on that event [the final].”
The build-up to Saturday’s clash comes against the backdrop of a harrowing incident.
On August 31, a day after Pirates thrashed Chippa United 3-0 in Gqeberha, Ouaddou and five members of his technical staff were involved in a road accident on the R21 near OR Tambo International Airport. They had stopped to assist people involved in another crash when their vehicle was struck. Fortunately, all escaped with minor injuries.
Despite that scare, Ouaddou insists the focus remains on football — and on delivering Pirates a fourth successive MTN8 crown.
Written by: Sandile Ndumo
