Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has reportedly spoken highly of veteran Namibian star Deon Hotto, amid growing speculation about the player’s future at the Soweto giants.
Hotto remains an important figure at Pirates and has continued to demonstrate his value despite being one of the more experienced members of the squad. His performances have once again attracted attention, with the 35-year-old recently proving decisive in the MTN8 semi-final first leg against Sekhukhune United. He scored the only goal of the match as Pirates secured a 1–0 advantage.
The Namibian has also received significant praise for his professionalism, work rate and consistency. During the previous campaign, Hotto featured in 36 matches, contributing nine assists and one goal as Pirates enjoyed a highly successful season.
According to the statement attributed to Ouaddou, the coach has developed a strong relationship with Hotto and holds the experienced defender in high regard.
“He’s such a good player. Me and him have built a solid relationship. But if he wants to leave Pirates, that’s fine by me. Any team would be blessed to have him in their squad.”
Such comments would underline the respect between the coach and player, while also acknowledging that football can sometimes bring difficult decisions. Hotto joined Pirates in 2020 and has since become an important part of the club’s recent success. The club’s official website continues to list him as part of the first-team squad for the 2026/27 campaign.
For now, Hotto remains focused on his football, and his recent match-winning contribution against Sekhukhune shows that he still has plenty to offer at the highest level. Whether his future remains in Soweto or takes him elsewhere, one thing is clear: his experience, versatility and work ethic have made him a player any club would value.
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