Abdeslam Ouaddou reveals near-exit at Orlando Pirates before historic treble triumph

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has revealed that his tenure at the club nearly came to an abrupt end earlier in the season after he submitted his resignation following a difficult spell of results.

Speaking on Extra Time, the coach disclosed that a run of two consecutive defeats pushed him to the point of stepping down, as pressure mounted within the club during a turbulent phase of the campaign.

However, his resignation was firmly rejected by the Pirates board, who opted to retain him and maintain stability within the technical setup.

That decision ultimately proved decisive.

Rather than parting ways, Ouaddou remained in charge and gradually rebuilt momentum within the squad. Under his leadership, Orlando Pirates turned their season around in remarkable fashion, growing in confidence and consistency as the campaign progressed.

The turnaround culminated in a historic treble-winning season for the Soweto giants, with the team delivering silverware across multiple competitions and cementing one of the most successful campaigns in the club’s recent history.

Ouaddou’s revelation adds a dramatic layer to the club’s triumph, highlighting how close Pirates came to a managerial change before ultimately achieving a season of dominance under his continued leadership.