Former Pirates Coach Ready to Lead African Football Giant

Former Orlando Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer appears set to return to African football, with indications suggesting he may assume a vacant role at the esteemed Algerian club, outpacing several experienced coaches in the process.

The German manager left Africa to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Wehda in July 2024, after guiding Raja Casablanca to an unbeaten Botola Pro League title and a Throne Cup victory last season, significantly bolstering his reputation.

Nonetheless, Zinnbauer parted ways with the club after a lackluster start in the prosperous kingdom, managing to achieve only two victories from the 13 matches he oversaw; his only other success came against second-division side Al-Faisaly in a penalty shootout during the King’s Cup.

Now 54 years old, the coach has been without a club since November of the previous year, leading several teams in the CAF region to express interest in his return to the continent. He has reportedly caught the eye of Zamalek, his former club Raja, and another Moroccan side, MAS Fes.

Currently, it seems that Zinnbauer, who secured the MTN8 trophy with Pirates in 2020, is under consideration by JS Kabylie, with negotiations reportedly progressing well as both sides aim to finalize personal terms.

JS Kabylie has reportedly explored numerous candidates following the unexpected resignation of Abdelhak Benchikha, who stepped down in January after guiding the club to the round of 32 in the Algerian Cup, citing ongoing dissatisfaction from management despite the results.

Aliou Cisse, who led Senegal to victory at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, reportedly declined the chance to take over, while former Mauritania coach Amir Abdou was preferred by the executives but not by the club’s president. The talks also involved French manager Oswald Tanchot.

Zinnbauer now stands as the leading candidate to succeed Benchikha, as the two-time CAF Champions League winners currently hold the top spot in Algerian Ligue 1. He will face the task of clinching the club’s first league title since the 2007/08 season.