Harambee Stars assistant coach and former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs has shared his candid thoughts on the surprise appointment of Moroccan Abdeslam Ouaddou as the new head coach of Orlando Pirates. This comes after wide speculation that his current boss, Benni McCarthy, was one of the top contenders for the role.
Following the departure of Spanish coach Jose Riveiro in May, who left to manage Egyptian giants Al Ahly, several high-profile names were linked with the Soweto giants. McCarthy, Rulani Mokwena, and Pitso Mosimane were among the favorites. However, the Pirates leadership opted for a lesser-known figure in Ouaddou, catching many by surprise.
Josephs, while expressing a hint of disappointment that McCarthy was overlooked, took a philosophical and somewhat humorous view of the appointment. He referred to Ouaddou as a “carpenter,” drawing a parallel to Riveiro, who had been mockingly labeled a “plumber” upon his arrival, only to go on and win over the club’s faithful with his success on the pitch.
Reacting to the development, Josephs acknowledged the initial skepticism among fans and former players, including himself. He emphasized the need to give the new coach time and support, noting that unexpected appointments can sometimes yield great results. “We had our three candidates but as we know, Orlando Pirates often surprise us. Jose was called a plumber and turned out to be a master. Now we have a carpenter. And let’s not forget, Jesus was also a carpenter,” he said, underlining the potential for greatness despite initial doubts.
Josephs also outlined his expectations for Ouaddou, making it clear that the club’s ambitions remain unchanged. He called on the new coach to embrace the pressure that comes with leading one of South Africa’s most successful and demanding football institutions. “Coach, you will have our support, but also know that Orlando Pirates wants to be winning things,” he stated, reinforcing the club’s culture of excellence and high standards.
Ouaddou may not be a stranger to South African football. Earlier in 2025, he managed Marumo Gallants, where he had a notable four-month stint that saw him secure the club’s top-flight status. During that period, he masterminded a 2-0 win over Orlando Pirates in March and followed it up with a 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in April. His previous coaching experiences include spells with AS Vita in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as stints in Benin and Algeria.
As he steps into one of the most scrutinized roles in South African football, all eyes will now be on Ouaddou to see whether this “carpenter” can build something remarkable with the Soweto giants.
