Former Orlando Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer appointed Al-Hilal Omdurman boss

Josef Zinnbauer has been named head coach of Sudanese record champions Al-Hilal Omdurman SC on a two-year contract.

The 56-year-old German previously managed Orlando Pirates, guiding the South African club to the MTN8 title in 2020 before leaving in August 2021.

Zinnbauer has since worked in several countries and now returns to club management with one of Africa’s most successful sides. Al-Hilal have won Sudan’s local Premier League 31 times and are preparing for their CAF Champions League campaign.

The club confirmed Zinnbauer’s appointment in a statement welcoming him as the new manager of what it described as the “King of Sudanese Football”.

“We are proud to announce the appointment of German coach Josef Zinnbauer as the new head coach of the King of Sudanese Football, on a two-year contract,” the club stated.

“A new chapter begins. A new vision. A new challenge. Welcome to Al Hilal family, Coach Zinnbauer.

“We believe in your experience, ambition, and leadership, and we look forward to achieving great things together.

“The journey starts now. Let’s make history.”

Zinnbauer left Orlando Pirates in August 2021 after his spell in charge had included success in the MTN8. He then had a short period with Lokomotiv Moscow before moving to Morocco to take over at Raja Club Athletic.

His time with the Moroccan giants brought further major success, as he led Raja Club Athletic to a domestic double without losing a match.

After departing Raja Club Athletic, Zinnbauer continued his coaching career in Saudi Arabia with Al Wehda. That appointment lasted 12 games before he moved on.

His most recent position was with Algerian club JS Kabylie, where he remained until March 2026. He will now oversee Al-Hilal Omdurman as the Sudanese club begins its preparations for continental competition.

Al-Hilal have been drawn to face Burundi’s Aigle Noir Makamba FC in the first preliminary round of the CAF Champions League. The tie will provide Zinnbauer with his first competitive challenge in charge of the club as he begins a new two-year assignment.

The appointment gives Al-Hilal a coach with experience of working in South Africa, Russia, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Algeria. It also marks the latest stage of a managerial career that has taken Zinnbauer across several leagues since his departure from Orlando Pirates.

Al-Hilal said it believed in his experience, ambition and leadership, while expressing its expectation that the partnership would deliver significant achievements. The club’s statement presented the appointment as the beginning of a new era and called on the coach and team to make history together.