Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has admitted that several of his players who represented their countries at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have yet to fully recover from the demands of the tournament, raising concerns over their readiness as the Buccaneers navigate the early stages of the season.
Pirates were held to a 1-1 draw by AmaZulu in a match that underlined the physical and competitive challenges facing the Soweto giants. Star midfielder Oswin Appollis began the game on the bench and, after being introduced, struggled to make the desired impact as Pirates searched for a winning goal.
Kamogelo Sebelebele was handed a starting berth but conceded the penalty from which AmaZulu recovered, adding another layer of frustration to a result that left Pirates with only a point.
Two other players who were part of the World Cup squad, Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa, were notable absentees. Their absence has highlighted the difficult balancing act Ouaddou now faces: pushing his international players to return to their best or giving them enough time to recover properly.
The Pirates coach suggested that he may have to make difficult decisions regarding their workload, even if that means temporarily taking some of his key players out of the firing line.
“We have to find a solution or to give rest for them, for definitely to have them ready maybe in October. Let’s say in October. Or maybe we push them, we push them there like that, but we’ll not have the hundred percent of our players.”
Ouaddou stressed that Pirates are not alone in dealing with the consequences of the congested football calendar. Clubs in Europe, he pointed out, are also facing complaints from players who have had little time for proper preparation and recovery.
But for Pirates, the pressure is immediate. The club’s supporters expect results, and Ouaddou knows he cannot afford to wait indefinitely for his squad to reach full fitness.
“But we need them, we need them. I need them to come quickly to the party or to take decision maybe to rest them.”
The French coach also singled out Nkosinathi Sibisi and Sipho Chaine for praise, acknowledging the pair for carrying the burden while some of their teammates continue to work their way back to full fitness.
“I have only Sibisi [Nkosinathi] and Sipho [Chaine] that they are doing the job. They are the one, unfortunately, and I want to be straight with them. They need to apply.”
His message was blunt: at a club of Pirates’ stature, there is little room for players to ease their way into the campaign.
“A club like Pirates, the fans are waiting a lot, the club are waiting a lot, and we don’t have time for that,” Ouaddou said.
And there is little time for Pirates to dwell on the AmaZulu draw. The Buccaneers are back in action on Sunday when they take on Chippa United in Durban.
The match will be played away from Chippa’s usual home base of Nelson Mandela Bay, where stadiums are currently undergoing pitch maintenance. The change of venue adds another element to a fixture that comes at a crucial time for both sides.
For Pirates, Sunday’s encounter will provide another test of the squad’s depth, particularly with Ouaddou still assessing the condition of his World Cup contingent. Whether players such as Appollis, Mbatha and Makgopa are eased back into action or given further time to recover could prove significant.
The 1-1 draw against AmaZulu therefore offered more than just a reflection of Pirates’ current form. It exposed the physical toll of the World Cup and the difficult choices now confronting Ouaddou.
With October already being mentioned as a possible target for some players to regain full readiness, Pirates may have to choose between short-term results and protecting their most valuable assets.
For a club expected to challenge on multiple fronts, that is a delicate line to walk. Push the World Cup contingent too hard and fatigue could deepen. Rest them and the team risks losing valuable points.
Ouaddou’s challenge is to find the balance — and find it quickly, with another test against Chippa United already waiting on Sunday in Durban.
Written by: Sandile Ndumo
