Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has indicated that he needs his best players at peak form and fitness during their Betway Premiership title run-in, which is why he has asked supporters to trust the technical team’s decisions.
Pirates are in a tight title race, sitting second on the log with 54 points, two behind serial champions Mamelodi Sundowns after 23 matches.
Since squandering their lead at the top with a 1-1 draw against Siwelele, Pirates have bounced back emphatically, scoring 11 goals in two matches against TS Galaxy (6-0) and Golden Arrows (5-0).
With goals and clean sheets flowing, Ouaddou has a better chance of managing his players’ workload until the end of the season. This allows him to substitute regular starters earlier, giving backups an opportunity to see out matches.
However, Ouaddou knows that may not sit well with some of the Ghost, who prefer to see their favourites finish matches – particularly Relebohile Mofokeng, who has been in scintillating form, scoring five of the 11 goals across both games.
Reflecting on the win over Arrows at home on Tuesday night and looking ahead to their league clash against Richards Bay at uMhlathuze Sports Complex on Friday (7.30pm kick-off), Ouaddou pleaded with fans to understand the technical team’s decisions as they manage player workload.
“People sometimes don’t understand the vision of the coach and the plans, especially when you play games like that in a row,” Ouaddou said. “When you are winning 3-0, you already start thinking about the next game.
“My staff and I think about the changes we can make in order to preserve the legs of the boys. The title is won through a marathon, so we have to be smart in how we play, manage the players and the fatigue. It’s what we tried to do in the second half.”
Pirates’ players have hit form at the right time of the season, with Ouaddou’s counterpart Manqoba Mngqithi believing that the professionalism and attitude of veteran Deon Hotto, 35, is rubbing off on younger players in the team.
“It’s interesting that I always use Hotto as an example when I talk to my players. I think he is a very good footballer,” the Arrows’ coach said. “But his strengths are his intensity; the way he works and runs is a lesson for a younger player who is still learning.
“I like the effort he puts into his game. I see this culture is growing in this Pirates team – they run. You see, (Tshepang) Moremi is in that mindset now. No laziness. (Masindi) Nemtajela works very hard.”
Pirates are one of the most well-oiled teams in the league, alongside Sundowns. Ouaddou believes things could have been even better if they did not have players like Sihle Nduli and Tapelo Xoki sidelined, though he is still leaning on them for guidance as the team navigates the pressure of a title challenge.
“He (Nduli) is doing well and going through rehabilitation now,” Ouaddou said. “It’s very important to stay close to these players – not only him, but Tapelo as well. They are part of our senior group.
“They’ve started coming back onto the pitch, either with the ball or running. They are on track. I can’t say whether we’ll see them before the end of the season, but we know they both sustained serious injuries.”
