Manager of Orlando Pirates, Abdeslam Ouaddou, called for a significant performance uplift from his squad subsequent to a disappointing draw against AmaZulu. Although Ouaddou does not currently feel the pressure associated with defending the Betway Premiership title, he strongly urged the majority of his players who represent Bafana Bafana internationally to rapidly readjust and concentrate entirely on the team's objectives for the current season.
Betway Premiership
Orlando Pirates experienced a setback in their title defense on Wednesday evening, failing to secure their initial points of the season after settling for a 1-1 draw with AmaZulu at Kings Park in Durban. This followed their opening-day victory of 2-0 against newcomers Milford at home.
Tshepang Moremi initially put the Sea Robbers ahead, buoyed by their previous run to the semi-finals of the MTN8 title defense. However, a penalty awarded to Thando Ngwenya late in the second half stoppage time resulted in the points being split that night.
The Pirates entered the match while dealing with absences due to injuries sustained after returning from the World Cup with Bafana, specifically Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa, who were unavailable.
During the post-match press conference, Ouaddou emphasized that many of their international players, who participated in the national team, have not yet regained the rhythm of club football, which is impeding the team's advancement. He stated, “Every point is important,” adding, “So, I need our international players to land in our hearts, team, and our planet. The US is finished. They need to quickly be part of the team spirit – the expectations of the club and fans.”
The coach further pressed, “Football is very impatient. If we wait for December to get fit, it will be late. I really need them to come to the party.”
Among the Bafana internationals, Ouaddou commended Nkosinathi Sibisi and Sipho Chaine for promptly aligning with the team's seasonal goals, while noting that Moremi, who scored against AmaZulu, Kamogelo Sebelele, who conceded the penalty, and Oswin Appollis still needed to settle in.
Ouaddou expressed concern regarding the points lost, stating, “I am worried about the fact that we’ll catch up with the points that we dropped here.” He added that few teams would defeat AmaZulu, describing them as a strong side with capable players, and suggested that the final assessment of points gained or lost should only occur at the season's conclusion. His primary concern remains the timeline for the full recovery of his international players. He highlighted Sibisi's excellent performance that day, calling him 'top,' and noted that Sipho Chaine fulfilled his role. However, he mentioned playing with one or two players missing since the start of the season, hoping for a swift recovery due to an 'emergency.'
The slower reintegration of some Bafana internationals appears linked to the short interval between their break and returning to the team after participating in pre-season training in Marbella, Spain. Despite this, Ouaddou does not overemphasize this issue. He recognizes that the challenge of rapid transition in competitive football affects teams globally.
Ouaddou defended the preparatory period, saying, “I think the benefits of having five weeks of preparations, which include periodisation and two weeks of a pre-season camp in Spain, is good for the team. We played every three days there against good opposition.” He observed differing outcomes based on arrival dates, noting, “We had a good result with the guys who started on June 24, and a different result with the guys who came late to join us. I am not surprised.”
He concluded by acknowledging that other European clubs faced similar issues with their internationals, citing mental and physical fatigue due to the abnormal rhythm imposed on athletes. Ouaddou agreed that the players are not machines and require rest, concluding, “It’s understandable due to the abnormal rhythm imposed on the players. It was understandable considering that the schedule could even be increased. The players are not robots. They need rest as well. I am not surprised. We need to find solutions.”
