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Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has pushed back against reports of a fallout involving assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi, dismissing speculation and warning against creating narratives without sufficient evidence.
Ouaddou’s remarks come amid attention surrounding the relationship between the two coaches, who work together at the Soweto giants as the Buccaneers continue their campaign across domestic competitions.
Addressing the reports, the Pirates head coach questioned the reasoning behind attempts to interpret interactions between people as evidence of conflict, insisting that such moments should not be turned into stories without justification.
“Someone who is kissing someone’s head - you cannot start to invent any stories,” Ouaddou said.
The statement appears aimed at shutting down speculation surrounding the relationship between the two technical-team members, with Ouaddou making it clear that he is not prepared to entertain narratives he believes are being manufactured.
Ncikazi has been an important figure in the Pirates technical setup, having served as an assistant coach during a period in which the club has pursued success in South African football. His working relationship with Ouaddou has consequently attracted interest as supporters and observers assess the team's direction.
However, the Moroccan coach's response suggests that reports of tension should not automatically be accepted as fact, particularly when interpretations of personal interactions become the basis for broader claims.
For Pirates, maintaining stability within the technical team remains important as the club seeks to compete consistently and meet the expectations of its passionate supporters.
The Buccaneers are among South Africa's most closely followed football clubs, meaning developments involving their coaching staff can quickly become a talking point among fans.
Ouaddou's comments will likely attract further attention, particularly among supporters eager to understand the dynamics within the Pirates camp.
While his statement firmly challenges the speculation, it does not independently establish every detail surrounding the reports. Nevertheless, the coach's message is clear: interactions between colleagues should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of a breakdown in their working relationship.
For now, the focus remains on whether the reported tensions have any substance, with Ouaddou publicly pushing back against what he considers an invented narrative.
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