- The former Premier League and Morocco national team defender is in a critical condition following a serious road accident
- Ouaddou made 21 appearances for Fulham in the English top flight from 2001 to 2005, after which he was loaned to Rennes
- Five members of Orlando Pirates’ technical team were also reportedly hospitalized after the same accident
Former Morocco international and ex-Fulham midfielder Abdeslam Ouaddou, along with defender Tapelo Xoki, has reportedly been hospitalized after a serious road accident near Gauteng, South Africa.
The 46-year-old, who currently manages Orlando Pirates, was injured on Sunday evening, August 31, when a pick-up truck struck him as he tried to help victims of a crash on the R21 highway.
Source: Twitter
Ouaddou and five members of his technical team were returning from a match when the incident occurred. According Reuters, all six were rushed to hospital for treatment.
In a statement, South African giants Orlando Pirates confirmed the incident:
“Head Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and five staff members were involved in a road traffic accident on Sunday night. The incident happened on the R21 highway as the team traveled back from Gqeberha after a 3–0 win over Chippa United.
A source told ESPN that Xoki sustained a knee injury and will undergo scans, though the damage is not as severe as initially feared. The club, however, has not officially confirmed his inclusion among the five staff members injured alongside Ouaddou.
Who is Abdeslam Ouaddou?
He is a retired Moroccan footballer who primarily played as a centre-back or defensive midfielder and also holds French nationality.
Abdeslam Ouaddou began his professional career relatively late, at 21, signing for Premier League side Fulham in 2001 for £8 million on a four-year deal. Struggling to adapt in England, he spent his last two years on loan at Rennes before joining the French club permanently.
In 2006, Ouaddou moved to Olympiacos but, after limited appearances and personal issues, he requested a release and returned to France, joining Valenciennes in January 2007.
Source: Twitter
After one season, he transferred to AS Nancy for £150,000, where he was voted the club’s best signing in 2008–09. However, a dispute led to his dismissal in 2010 despite having two years left on his contract.
Later in 2010, Ouaddou signed for Al-Duhail SC in Qatar, winning the Qatar Stars League title, before moving to Qatar SC in 2011 on a two-year deal.
On January 1, 2013, Ouaddou returned to AS Nancy intending to finish his career there but announced his retirement two weeks later.
In terms of his managerial career, Ouaddou impressed at South African side Marumo Gallants F.C as head coach before Orlando Pirates came for his signature in June 2025.
Diogo Jota’s passing
YEN.com.gh previously reported on the tragic passing of Liverpool ace winger Diogo Jota on July 3 of this year.
The Portuguese star and his brother, André Silva, were driving in northern Spain when a Lamborghini tyre reportedly burst into flames. The tragic death of the former Wolves winger adds to the growing list of footballers who have already passed away this year.
Source: YEN.com.gh
Source: Yen.com.gh
