THE FUSE

Orlando Pirates will continue to trim their squad for the current campaign despite releasing no fewer than 15 players.

As things stand, the Buccaneers boast one of the biggest squads in the PSL with 41 players currently training under Abdeslam Ouaddou.

Now, after Saturday’s 2-0 win over rookies Milford FC, Ouaddou admitted that the current squad is too big to work with.

According to Ouaddou, the manageable squad is between 30 and 35 maximum, including goalkeepers.

He added that it will be easier to with that number as Pirates will be competing on all fronts after qualifying for the CAF Champions League.

ORLANDO PIRATES TO TRIM THE SQUAD

“Look, if we play all the competitions, the PSL, the [CAF] Champions League, MTN8, Carling Knockout Cup and the Nedbank Cup, 30 players is okay,” Ouaddou told the media.

“For me, 30 players, and you add four goalkeepers; it’s 34. We can have some suspensions and injured players, so if we play all these competitions, I can manage 30 players and more than that, maybe 35; it starts to be difficult because you cannot be efficient with your work.

“One point that is very important is, when you have 30 players to manage, of course you need the staff, and we have the staff to manage these numbers, but you need facilities as well. When I say facilities, I mean, to have at least two [training] pitches,” he concluded.

BUCS OFF TO A FLYING START

Pirates got their league title defence off to flying start as they beat Milford FC 2-0 at Orlando Amstel Arena.

They temporarily occupied the top spot on the Betway Premiership log as Kaizer Chiefs claimed the position later that evening.

Amakhosi, who are Pirates’ rivals, beat Kruger United 3-1 to move to the summit of the log on goals scored.