Marumo Gallants striker Junior Zindoga has backed his former coach Abdeslam Ouaddou to succeed at Orlando Pirates, hailing the Moroccan tactician as a game-changer and a brother figure to his players.
Ouaddou was unveiled as the new head coach of the Buccaneers in June, stepping into one of the most high-pressure jobs in South African football.
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But according to Zindoga, Pirates have appointed a coach whose attention to detail, personal touch, and tactical knowledge will immediately win over the squad.
“Coach Ouaddou is someone who’s incredibly hard-working and tactically sound,” Zindoga told the Siya crew. “More than just a coach, he feels like a big brother. He encourages you, makes you feel good about yourself, and creates a happy environment on the pitch.”
Zindoga, who worked under Ouaddou during their time together at Gallants, explained that the Moroccan coach has a gift for improving players without restricting their natural qualities.
“He doesn’t take away what you already have – he builds on it. He helps you improve in areas you might overlook, and that made a real difference in my game,” said the forward. “Even though I didn’t have a lot of time working under him, he was already making a big impact.”
Zindoga painted a vivid picture of Ouaddou’s dedication, recalling moments after matches when the coach would be back on the laptop reviewing games while players were still on the team bus.
“After a game, while we’d be on the bus back from a place like Mpumalanga, he’d already be watching the match again, analysing things and talking to his assistants. That dedication really showed us how serious he is,” he said.
“He’s the kind of coach who, during a long bus ride, would already be thinking about how we could defend higher or where we could improve – always looking to make the team better. He’s top-class.”
The 26-year-old striker also revealed that he still keeps in contact with the coach, even now that they are at different clubs.
“I’m still in contact with him, and I know he’ll continue to help me improve no matter where he is. Even when I was injured, he came to visit me just to make sure I was okay – that tells you the kind of person he is.”
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As Pirates prepare for the new season under Ouaddou, Zindoga believes the Soweto giants are in good hands.
“I wish him all the best at Orlando Pirates. I know he’s going to do really well there. They’ve got a great coach and a great person,” concluded Zindoga.
Photo by Orlando Pirates
