Abdeslam Ouaddou’s first match as the head coach of Orlando Pirates will switch on the lights about what he will face in his time at Orlando Pirates.
Ouaddou has accepted the challenge of leading Pirates in the post Jose Riveiro era and will do pressed with delivering silverware just like how his predecessor did.
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As he walks out of the tunnel at Orlando Stadium, the French Moroccan will be opposite the stand which houses those that are known as staunch.
These are the vocal fans who will adore him dearly just like they did with Riveiro should he make them but will make him his stay a pain if he doesn’t deliver the football, results, and trophies.
Ouaddou has already been warned that The Ghost is a sweet crowd when their team is winning yet nasty when wins are not forthcoming frequently.
So, whether the 46-year-old builds a matchday tradition of wearing a suit, tracksuits or takes a casual fashion taste of jeans like Riveiro will not matter as long as Pirates wins games playing good football.
He adopts a team that now needs to find a way past the runners-up hurdle in the league and one that was in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League last season.
Reinforcements have been all over the pitch amongst them Oswin Appollis, Sipho Mbule, Sihle Nduli, Tshepo Mashiloane, Yanela Mbuthuma, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Masindi Nemtajela, Tshepang Moremi, and Nkosikhona Ndaba.
No excuses about options and quality as he starts the biggest job of his career to date.
Of interest will be how he starts at Pirates.
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Does he win his first match in a brand-new season just like Ronald Mkandawire, Gordon Igesund, Augusto Palacios, Roy Barreto, Kosta Papic, Julio Leal, Vladmir Vermezovic, Muhsin Ertugral, Josef Zinnbaur, and Jose Riveiro did when starting out at Pirates?
That will be what he will hope for ahead of a season which besides the MTN8, will also have the Betway Premiership, CAF Champions League, Carling KnockOut, and Nedbank Cup.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
