Pirates coach warns tired Bafana stars to step up

Compiled by Dylan Bettencourt

• Ouaddou says some Pirates players who represented Bafana at the World Cup are still struggling physically and mentally.

• He may give them time off after Pirates drew 1-1 with AmaZulu, saying the club cannot keep dropping points.

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has warned some of his Bafana Bafana players to step up or risk being rested.

Ouaddou was unhappy with some of his international players after Pirates drew 1-1 with AmaZulu on Wednesday.

He mentioned concerns around Tshepang Moremi, Oswin Appollis and Kamogelo Sebelebele, who returned from the 2026 Fifa World Cup with Bafana.

“My worry is when I am going to fully recover the international players,” Ouaddou said, the Citizen reported.

He praised Nkosinathi Sibisi and goalkeeper Sipho Chaine but said Pirates had effectively been playing with one or two players missing because others were not performing at their best.

Ouaddou said Pirates could not afford to wait too long because every league point mattered.

“The USA is finished and we need them quickly to be part of the team spirit here and the expectations of the fans,” he said. “We really need them to come to the party.”

But the coach also admitted that some players may simply need a proper break after a demanding World Cup.

“Some are tired physically and some are tired mentally,” he said. “Players are not robots, they need to rest.”

Ouaddou said Pirates could consider giving some players time off so they can return fully recovered later in the season.

He said the club and its supporters expect players to perform immediately.

“At a club like Pirates the fans are waiting and the club is waiting and you don’t have time,” he said.

Pirates next face Chippa United at Kings Park Stadium in Durban on Sunday.

Pictured above: Orlando Pirates in action against AmaZulu.

Image source: @orlandopirates