Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has become a talking point among South African football supporters after his name was left off the list of nominees for the 2026 CAF Men's Coach of the Year award.

The Moroccan coach had a memorable season with the Buccaneers, guiding the club to a historic domestic treble. Even so, he was missing when CAF announced its nominees for the award. The omission has raised eyebrows, especially among Pirates fans who feel he deserved recognition for what he achieved.

Taking charge of Pirates brings huge expectations because of the club's history, its passionate supporters and its ambition to win major honours. Ouaddou turned those expectations into silverware. Winning several trophies in one season is never easy, particularly in a league where clubs such as Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs are always under pressure to deliver. Many Pirates supporters believe this made him a strong candidate for continental recognition.

CAF's shortlist, however, includes several coaches who also had impressive seasons with their clubs and national teams. One of them is Mamelodi Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso, whose work in continental football has strengthened his case. Other nominees have made their mark through results in domestic competitions and international tournaments.

The competition for the award is strong, but Ouaddou's absence has sparked debate about how the nominees were chosen and what is needed to qualify. CAF has not publicly explained why he was left out.

Whatever the reason, the decision does not change what he achieved with Pirates last season. For the club's supporters, the question is a simple one: if a historic treble is not enough to earn a continental nomination, what more could he have done? Ouaddou's attention will now turn to keeping Pirates successful and delivering more memorable moments for the club.

Source https://x.com/MickyJnr__/status/2117914794594353639