Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says managing his World Cup players and introducing a number of new signings will be among his biggest challenges as the Buccaneers begin their 2026-27 Betway Premiership title defence.
Pirates started their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Milford FC on Saturday, but Ouaddou admitted his side looked short of rhythm and still need to improve their control and possession as the season develops.
The Moroccan coach faces a difficult task in attempting to match the achievements of his first season in charge. Pirates ended a 14-year wait for the league title last term and completed their first treble since 2011-12, when they won a second consecutive treble and secured a place in the club’s history.
The club’s ambitions extend beyond domestic competition this season, with Pirates also hoping to progress further in the Caf Champions League after being eliminated in the second preliminary round last campaign.
World Cup players need careful handling
Several of Ouaddou’s key players returned to club duty shortly after representing Bafana Bafana at the 2026 Fifa World Cup in North America in June. The squad members were given only a week off before being brought back into Pirates’ pre-season preparations.
Among those affected was emerging South Africa star Relebohile Mofokeng, who joined Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise after impressing at the World Cup.
“It’s normal. We knew the players could have these difficulties to start, because they have just finished the World Cup and they had maybe one week of rest,” Ouaddou said after the game.
“And I can say is it’s not even physically [an issue] but mentally, to have the opportunity to have a break for at least three weeks. It’s necessary for a professional footballer.
“But unfortunately we couldn’t afford that … So we have to manage that and accept it.
“But if [there are matches where] we manage to score early, we can manage them by making substitutions. And we don’t have a choice it will be like that until December. And we hope it won’t cost us too much in terms of what we want to produce in our ambitions.
“A lot of clubs and coaches have the same situation. We will have to deal with that, with the performance and medical departments.”
Patience with summer recruits
Pirates have added Norwegian striker Sebastian Pedersen, who was reasonably prolific for his previous two clubs in the second tier of Norwegian football.
The other new arrivals include midfielder Thapelo Mokobodi from Stellenbosch FC, winger Kabelo Kgositsile from Baroka FC, and former junior international Neo Rapoo, who can play at left-back or on the left wing. Experienced Zambian right winger Ghampani Lungu has also arrived from Siwelele FC.
Ouaddou selected last season’s established players for the match against Milford FC before bringing Lungu, Kgositsile and Rapoo into the game as second-half substitutes.
The approach reflects a change in strategy from last season, when the coach believes he introduced too many new players into the starting line-up too quickly during the opening half of the 2025-26 campaign.
“Even I take lessons it’s never too late to learn. Last season we can say that I wanted to be in a bit of a rush to put new players in the starting XI. And this season I decided to have more stability in the starting XI and all the new players, trying to bring them on later.
“I think you saw in the second half that they [new players introduced off the bench] brought something … They brought us some more energy, some more control in the game. I think it’s good news for Orlando Pirates, to know these players can help us. But I am sure that in the season we will see them more and more.”
Ouaddou believes the enlarged squad will be particularly valuable if Pirates remain involved in every available competition. However, with the group now thought to number about 40 players, he indicated that it may eventually need to be reduced.
“To have depth is very important when you qualify for all the competitions and go far in them, because for a coach it’s much easier to involve all the players in your squad when you are competing in every competition. Things start to be difficult when you only play in one or two competitions [then] it’s very difficult to give game time to everyone and keep them all content.
“Professional football players come for training, but at the end of the week of training they need their gift, which is the game. And the more chances you have to give the players chances, the less problems you have in terms of management. So for me it’s a target this season to qualify for all the competitions and go far in them.”
Ouaddou said a playing squad of 30 outfield players, plus four goalkeepers, would be manageable if Pirates compete on multiple fronts.
“If we play in all the competitions, 30 players is OK for me. You add the goalkeepers four of them and then it’s 34. We can have some suspensions and a few injuries.
“If we play in all of these competitions I can manage all these players. More than that, 35, it starts to be difficult because you cannot really be efficient in your work. One point that is important is that when you have 30 players to manage you need the staff to manage them, but you need the facilities too. And when I say facilities, I mean two pitches.”
