Orlando Pirates Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou Hospitalized After Accident

JOHANNESBURG: Abdeslam Ouaddou, the head coach of Orlando Pirates and a former Moroccan international, has been admitted to a hospital following a serious traffic incident in South Africa, the club announced on Tuesday.

The event took place on Sunday as the Pirates team was returning to Johannesburg after their match in the South African Premier Division held in Gqeberha.

According to the club’s statement, the team’s bus stopped when they came across an accident involving a pair of vehicles. Coach Ouaddou, together with a number of staff members, exited the bus to provide support to those involved in the initial crash.

“Upon discovering a collision involving two vehicles, coach Ouaddou and several staff members got off the team bus to help those who were involved,” the Pirates mentioned in a statement.

“Regrettably, while assisting at the scene, a Nissan NP200 vehicle impacted the stationary vehicles, hitting the group and inflicting severe injuries. Coach Ouaddou, in conjunction with five staff members impacted, were immediately taken to a medical facility, where they are presently under medical supervision,” they further added.

Among those injured are goalkeeper coach Tyrone Damons and defender Thapelo Xoki. Local reports indicate that Damons underwent an operation on Monday after sustaining multiple critical injuries, including a fractured leg.

Ouaddou, aged 46, a former center-back who played for Morocco at the international level and also spent time with Fulham in the Premier League, as well as Ligue 1 clubs AS Nancy and Stade Rennes, was appointed as the head coach of the Soweto giants in July.

Despite this unfortunate occurrence, the club is still slated to compete in the domestic cup final on September 13, although the preparations are anticipated to be significantly hampered by the absence of essential coaching staff members.