Orlando Pirates Football Club has confirmed that Head Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and five members of the club’s staff sustained serious injuries in a road traffic incident on Sunday night. The accident occurred on the R21 highway as the team was returning from Gqeberha, where they had secured a commanding 3–0 win over Chippa United.

According to a statement released by the club, the group had stopped to assist victims of a collision between two vehicles when tragedy struck. While attending to the scene, a Nissan NP200 reportedly crashed into the stationary vehicles, hitting Ouaddou and the staff members who had disembarked from the team bus to help.

All six individuals were rushed to hospital and are currently receiving medical treatment. The club emphasized that it is in close contact with the medical team and will provide updates on their condition as they become available.

“At this stage, our priority is the health and wellbeing of our colleagues,” the statement read. “The Club has made arrangements to ensure that the affected individuals and their families receive all the necessary support during this difficult time.”

Orlando Pirates has requested privacy for those involved as they focus on recovery, adding that further updates will be shared when appropriate.

The football community has responded with an outpouring of support, as fans and fellow clubs express concern and solidarity with the injured.

Below is the full statement from Orlando Pirates Football Club:

“Orlando Pirates Football Club can confirm that Head Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and five members of the club’s staff were involved in a road traffic incident on Sunday night.

The incident occurred on the R21 highway as the team returned from Gqeberha, following their hard-fought 3–0 victory against Chippa United. Upon encountering a collision between two vehicles, Coach Ouaddou and several staff members disembarked from the team bus to assist those involved. Tragically, while attending to the scene, a Nissan NP200 vehicle collided with the stationary vehicles, striking the group and causing serious injuries.

Coach Ouaddou, along with the five affected staff members, were immediately transported to hospital, where they are currently receiving medical care. The Club is in close contact with the medical team and will provide updates on their recovery in due course.

At this stage, our priority is the health and wellbeing of our colleagues. The Club has made arrangements to ensure that the affected individuals and their families receive all the necessary support during this difficult time.

We ask for privacy and respect for those involved as they focus on recovery. Further updates will be communicated when appropriate.”