Orlando Pirates announced former Marumo Gallants coach Abdeslam Ouaddou as the successor to Jose Riveiro, sparking varied reactions across the South African football landscape.
One former Bucs player believes that while the Moroccan-born mentor has coaching credentials, questions remain about his suitability for the high-pressure environment at Orlando Stadium.
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Speaking to Soccer Laduma in an exclusive interview, former midfielder James Mothibi expressed concern about the new coach's ability to manage the unique pressures associated with one of South Africa's biggest clubs.
"I think he is a good coach, the only challenge is how he is going to continue where Jose (Riveiro) left off and I'm worried about him handling the pressure that comes with managing big teams like Orlando Pirates. Will he be able to handle that pressure? Does he have what it takes to handle the pressure? Pirates have a different pressure and heavy pressure but let's hope he can handle that," Mothibi told the Siya crew.
However, despite his reservations, Mothibi offered support to the coach as the Moroccan enters the challenge of filling the considerable void left by Riveiro, who claimed five trophies during his three-season tenure at Pirates.
"I really don't know him that much. I have no idea of his coaching philosophy. I just saw him at Marumo Gallants but good luck to the brother. I wish him all the best to help the team achieve more from next season," Mothibi told Soccer Laduma.
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Coach Ouaddou will face his first test with the team during the pre-season training camp in Spain, where the Buccaneers have already confirmed three friendly matches.
Mothibi's concerns reflect the significant expectations placed on any Pirates coach, so not just the latest coach. While Ouaddou's previous stint at Gallants provided him with PSL experience, the heightened scrutiny, demanding fanbase, and championship expectations at Pirates represent a substantial step up in pressure.
How the Moroccan handles this transition could prove crucial to his early success or failure at one of Africa's most storied clubs.
