Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has given detail to his job ahead of the new season after familiarising himself with operations during pre-season.
Ouaddou has taken over at Pirates with the club having signed Oswin Appollis, Sipho Mbule, Sihle Nduli, Tshepang Moremi, Yanela Mbuthuma, and Abdoulaye Mariko who all got minutes over the weekend.
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The club has also added Tshepo Mashiloane, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, Masindi Nemtajela, and Nkosikhona Ndaba as new signings while just as many players have headed for the exit through permanent transfers, loan deals, and contract non-renewals.
With more departures still expected, he was asked about player movement in this window, Ouaddou was forthright.
"Orlando Pirates is an institution, and the coach cannot come and do what he wants like that," says Ouaddou speaking at the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season launch.
"There are bases and we have a philosophy, and the club knows exactly what they want.
"If we have to take decisions, we will take them with the board.
"About the perfect squad, I think 28 players can be interesting.
"I will give you an interesting example about my previous club.
"When I arrived 10 players were on the side at Marumo Gallants, and nobody was watching them.
"When I arrived, I included in the group and told them ‘Look, maybe some players from this 10 will save us at the end and it is what happened’.
"I had Trevor (Mathiane) who didn’t play in the beginning but in the end scored last goal that saved Marumo Gallants.
"So, there must never be a misunderstanding with the players that don’t have such playing time.
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"Everybody’s contribution is important.
"It is my mentality.
"I was a professional football player, and we cannot put players on the side," explains Ouaddou.
Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images
