Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is combining football with drip from the dugout.
Image: Backpagepix
Abdeslam Ouaddou might be locked into one of the biggest weeks of the season with Orlando Pirates, but that hasn’t stopped him from winning a few style points off the pitch.
The Sea Robbers are set to lock horns with their arch rivals Kaizer Chiefs on Sunday in a potential title decider.
The Buccaneers head coach has quietly built a reputation for being one of the sharpest dressed figures on the touchline, consistently stepping out in sleek black-and-white suits that mirror the club’s identity — often topped off with subtle designer touches.
And ahead of the Soweto Derby, Ouaddou was more than happy to lean into the lighter side of things when asked about his matchday drip.
“In the ecosystem of football, I represent a big brand, I’m a coach of a big club, when one goes to an important appointment and to interact with the media as well, one must be prepared and dress good,” he said.
It’s a mindset that goes beyond fashion and into presentation — a detail the Moroccan tactician clearly takes seriously.
“So even when we’re playing a game, at the stadium there’s the image of the club and the image of the country as well so it’s important for me to be in my best clothes.”
In a league where touchline fashion can sometimes be an afterthought, Ouaddou has turned it into part of his identity.
Whether it’s a perfectly tailored suit or a crisp combination that matches Pirates’ famous colours, the 46-year-old ensures he looks the part of a man leading one of South Africa’s biggest clubs.
Of course, results will always matter more than outfits — especially with a high-stakes clash against Kaizer Chiefs looming.
But if style counted on the scoreboard, Pirates might already be 1-0 up before kickoff.