Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has offered an interesting insight into the importance of his technical team amid growing speculation surrounding assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi’s future at the Soweto giants.

The Buccaneers have recently been the subject of reports suggesting that there could be tension between Ouaddou and Ncikazi, with questions being raised about whether the experienced South African coach will continue working alongside the Moroccan tactician.

However, Ouaddou’s latest comments have brought a different dimension to the discussion, particularly regarding the importance of the people working behind the scenes at Orlando Pirates.

Speaking after Pirates’ 1-0 victory over African Stars in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary-round encounter in Botswana, Ouaddou highlighted the size and importance of the club’s technical department.

The former Fulham defender revealed that Pirates have approximately 18 to 19 members within their technical staff, drawing comparisons with the structures he observed during a visit to Arsenal under former manager Arsène Wenger.

Ouaddou explained that supporters often concentrate on the head coach while overlooking the contribution of the numerous specialists who help prepare the team and make important football decisions.

He also specifically acknowledged the importance of African expertise within the club’s technical structure.

This is particularly interesting given the speculation surrounding Ncikazi, who has been an important part of the Pirates coaching setup since joining the club ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Ncikazi brings considerable experience of South African football and has worked under different coaching regimes at Mayfair. He previously served alongside Fadlu Davids before continuing his responsibilities under José Riveiro and subsequently Ouaddou.

His understanding of the local football environment has been valuable, particularly when considering the demands of competing in the Premier Soccer League and continental competitions.

The assistant coach’s absence from the dugout earlier this season initially raised questions after Pirates confirmed that he had undergone emergency knee surgery during pre-season and was experiencing discomfort following the procedure.

However, reports subsequently emerged suggesting that his continued absence could be connected to disagreements within the technical team. These allegations have not been independently established as fact.

Ouaddou’s latest remarks are therefore significant, although they should not automatically be interpreted as a direct confirmation or denial of the reported disagreement with Ncikazi.

The Moroccan coach has previously demonstrated appreciation for the expertise already available at Pirates. Their relationship also appeared positive during last season’s successful campaign, when the Buccaneers collected three major domestic trophies, including the Betway Premiership title, their first league championship in 14 years.

That achievement made the partnership between the technical team particularly important, with Ouaddou benefiting from the experience of people who understood the club and South African football.

There is also a practical reason why the situation deserves attention. Pirates are competing on multiple fronts, and the demands of defending their domestic title while pursuing CAF Champions League success require stability throughout the technical department.

The Buccaneers are currently preparing for the return fixture against African Stars after securing a narrow 1-0 advantage in the first leg. Qualification for the group stages remains an important objective for the club.

For Pirates supporters, the biggest concern is not necessarily the speculation surrounding individual members of the coaching staff, but whether any internal uncertainty could eventually affect the team’s performances.

Ouaddou’s acknowledgement of the importance of his technical department is encouraging because it reinforces the idea that successful football management requires contributions from several people rather than one individual.

Nevertheless, questions about Ncikazi’s long-term position at the club remain until there is a clear statement addressing his future.

For now, Pirates supporters will hope that the attention remains on football and that the technical team can maintain the stability required to compete for more silverware this season.

https://ow.ly/31t751001YE