“I’m Not Here to Scout Players!” Ouaddou Reveals Who Controls Orlando Pirates’ Transfer Business

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has made a revealing statement about his responsibilities at the Soweto giants, insisting that identifying and recruiting new players is not part of his contractual duties.

The Moroccan tactician has explained that the Buccaneers have a dedicated scouting department responsible for identifying potential signings who fit the club's football philosophy and long-term ambitions.

His comments come amid growing discussions about Pirates' squad composition, particularly the club's attacking options and whether additional reinforcements could help them reach another level this season.

Speaking after Orlando Pirates secured their place in the Carling Knockout Cup semi-finals, Ouaddou was asked whether the club could use its CAF Champions League campaign to identify players who might strengthen the squad.

However, the Pirates coach made it clear that recruitment is handled by a separate department within the club.

"Look, I think the club has a very good scouting department. They know exactly what they are looking for, the identity of the club and the way they want to play. It's no secret to anybody, I'm here to coach," Ouaddou explained.

He further emphasised that his responsibility is to work with the players already available to him rather than personally searching for potential recruits.

"I'm not here to scout players, I have the players I have and I play with the players I have. Unfortunately, it's not part of my duty, it's not part of my contract to look for players. It's another department in the club to scout players," he added.

Interestingly, Ouaddou acknowledged that he has an extensive network across African football but stressed that this does not mean he personally brings players to Orlando Pirates.

"I have a big network in Africa, of course, but I don't bring them here," he clarified.

Questions Over Pirates' Attacking Options

The recruitment discussion comes at a time when Pirates' attacking department has attracted attention, particularly regarding their ability to convert scoring opportunities consistently.

Forwards such as Yanela Mbuthuma, Evidence Makgopa and Boitumelo Radiopane have all been given opportunities to lead the attack as Ouaddou continues searching for the most effective combination.

With the January transfer window approaching, supporters will undoubtedly be interested in whether the club's scouting department identifies additional attacking reinforcements.

Focus Shifts To CAF Champions League

Meanwhile, Pirates are preparing for another important phase of their campaign, with a CAF Champions League group-stage encounter against Tanzanian giants Simba SC awaiting them after the FIFA international break.

Ouaddou's latest comments underline the club's organisational structure, where recruitment and coaching responsibilities are handled separately.

For now, his message is straightforward: his priority is developing the players at his disposal and delivering results on the pitch, while the scouting department takes responsibility for identifying potential additions to the squad.

Source https://x.com/i/status/2119739043797770660