Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has dismissed reports of a possible fallout with his assistant coach, Mandla Ncikazi, insisting that the atmosphere at the club remains positive.

Speaking during the Buccaneers' media day on Thursday, the French-Moroccan tactician expressed frustration over speculation suggesting that his relationship with Ncikazi had deteriorated. He maintained that there was no problem within the technical team and urged people to stop spreading stories that could create unnecessary tension.

Earlier this week, reports emerged claiming that Ncikazi could be on his way out of the club. Some allegations suggested that Ouaddou had demanded his assistant's departure, with claims that he would consider resigning if the situation was not addressed. The speculation intensified after Ncikazi missed recent matches.

However, Ouaddou referred to an official statement from Pirates explaining the assistant coach's absence. According to the club, Ncikazi underwent knee surgery and was given time to recover at home in KwaZulu-Natal.

“The club issued a statement about that, he had surgery, so now he’s recovering, I wish him all the best, that’s all I can say,” Ouaddou said.

The Pirates coach went further, questioning why some media reports were attempting to turn the situation into a controversy.

“We read many things about that, everything is okay in the club, the environment is okay,” he explained, adding that Ncikazi's recovery should not be used to create unnecessary problems.

Ouaddou also referred to a recent affectionate moment between the two coaches as evidence of their relationship, remarking: “Someone who is kissing someone on his forehead, you cannot start to invent any stories.”

His comments come as Pirates prepare for their upcoming fixtures, with the coach keen to keep attention on football rather than speculation surrounding the technical team.

For now, Ouaddou has firmly rejected claims of a rift, while the club's explanation remains that Ncikazi is recovering from surgery. Supporters will be watching for further updates as the assistant coach continues his recovery.

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