The Moroccan former AS Vita and Marumo Gallants head coach joined the Buccaneers as a replacement for Spaniard Jose Riveiro, who lifted five cup trophies and guided his team to three second-placed Betway Premiership finishes, in his three years at the helm.

Ouaddou was well known for his exploits as a player with both club and country, playing over 300 top-flight games across France, England, Greece and Qatar and 58 times for Morocco.

His arrival at Pirates comes after a short spell with Marumo Gallants where he successfully guided the team away from the relegation places and into eighth place on the final day of the season.

It was his first job after quitting AS Vita following their CAF Confederation Cup exit to Stellenbosch.

Ouaddou began his coaching career with former club AS Nancy in the youth and reserve sides. He also enjoyed a spell as assistant of the Algeria national team, and had brief stints with Moroccan sides MC Oujda and Loto-Popo.

With many fans expecting to see the return of Rulani Mokwena, Ouaddou's arrival came as a surprise announcement.

But the new coach says he will make the most of this opportunity, as he acknowledged the difference between Pirates and his former teams.

Ouaddou told Pirates TV: "I'd like to thank the board, the fans for the warm welcome, the staff as well, I'm honoured to be part of this institution.

"It's a club, but for it's an institution, when I see the fantastic organisation of the club, we can really say it's an institution.

"I will try to speak honestly and respect the brand, the football, and the fans as well, there is world between the organisation, the professionalism, the vision as well, I can say in Marumo Gallants, I had a good time, fantastic behaviour, mentality of players.

"Nice people, fantastic fans as well, the fans [in Bloemfontein] fantastic, very friendly people, so I appreciated a lot. But if we compare the two clubs, it's too far away, the way I reach, or scouted by Pirates, I was very surprised.

"I can tell you Pirates are in the future, very advanced about how they are seeing football, how they are managing the club, I can tell the fans, those who love Orlando Pirates are lucky to have such people looking after the club."

Ouaddou added: “We are in a five-year process, we are at the end of the three years now, people need trophies and results now. When I put my foot here at Pirates, I'm not crazy, I know where I am putting my feet. The board knows what they want.”

Abdeslam Ouaddou pledges to bring more silverware to Orlando Pirates