Orlando Pirates fans breathed a sigh of relief this week as head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou returned to training following a serious road accident last month.
Ouaddou, along with Tapelo Xoki and other staff members, had been involved in a traffic incident after their match against Chippa United on August 31, leaving them hospitalized for several days.
Ouaddou Shows Resilience at Training
On Tuesday, Ouaddou was spotted at training wearing an arm sling, readying the team for the MTN8 final against Stellenbosch this Saturday.
Despite the emotional weight of the past few weeks, the coach spoke briefly about the accident.
“Of course, the club has issued a statement about the accident, but this is not the right place to speak about it,” Ouaddou said, according to iDiski Times.
He admitted to feeling emotional, not for reaching the final, but simply for being able to speak publicly again after the ordeal.
Gratitude for Medical Staff
Ouaddou took a moment to thank the hospital staff who cared for him and the others involved in the accident.
“I’d like to thank all the personnel of the hospital, all the South African competencies that did a very big job for me to be able to sit here and speak to you and in order to manage the game this weekend.
Thanks to all the doctors and everyone in that hospital,” he said.
Chasing First Silverware With the Pirates
The Orlando Pirates have a strong MTN8 history, winning the trophy three times under former coach Jose Riveiro.
Now, Ouaddou is aiming to secure his first piece of silverware with the club.
The Buccaneers will face Stellenbosch in the MTN8 final in Mbombela, and fans are eager to see if the coach can lead them to victory after a challenging start to the season.