Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has dismissed media reports of a rift between himself and assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi, accusing some outlets of inventing stories about the club.
Speaking ahead of the club’s next fixture, Ouaddou was asked about speculation of a fallout with his assistant. He pointed to the club’s official statement, which said Ncikazi has undergone surgery and is now recovering.
“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 Moroccan coach then made his frustration with the coverage clear, insisting the situation inside the camp is calm and that the reports are unfounded.
“We read many things about that, everything is okay in the club, the environment is okay, so people must not start to create any problem. There is surgery and I wish him the best, not to create problems. I read many things.”
Ouaddou also pointed to a recent show of affection between the two as evidence that the relationship is sound. “Someone who is kissing someone on his head, you cannot start to invent any stories.”