Orlando Pirates: Abdeslam Ouaddou explains Sipho Mbule and Evidence Makgopa absences
Betway Premiership
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou sets the record straight on why Sipho Mbule, pictured, and Evidence Makgopa were left out of the squad for the win over Magesi. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Fresh from beating Magesi 2–0 in the Betway Premiership at home on Saturday night, Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou explained the second successive and maiden absence of talismans Sipho Mbule and Evidence Makgopa from his match-day squad.
“It’s simply a tactical choice, regarding the profile of the opponent,” explained Ouaddou deep in the bowels of the newly rebranded Orlando Amstel Arena.
Mbule has been a subject of interest since the restart. He was a notable absentee in their first game of the New Year when Pirates drew 0–0 with Sekhukhune United at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium a week ago.
While there was an assumption that it was a “tactical choice”, some rumours emerged that he was either injured or had been withdrawn from first-team activities due to ill-discipline issues, something he battled with prior to joining Pirates in winter.
However, when Mbule was spotted at training ahead of Pirates’ clash with Magesi, those rumours were slightly squashed – until he was again absent from the match-day squad against Magesi, though he was spotted with the rest of the fringe players in the stands.
Meanwhile, Makgopa also didn’t make the cut in Pirates’ first game at the Amstel Arena as he was replaced by goalkeeper Yanela Mbuthuma, raising concerns about his absence.
Ouaddou explained the duo’s absence in the victory over Magesi, adding that they’ll be welcomed back into the team to contribute in the next few days or weeks.
“We have a lot of games coming, especially next week,” Ouaddou stated. “We are playing against AmaZulu (in the league on Tuesday), and the cup (the Nedbank Cup, against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila on Saturday). So, since we are going to play every three days, it’s very important to manage the workload of the players.”
Indeed, Pirates are going to need everyone at full strength and ever-ready to contribute if they are to go for a clean sweep of domestic honours, and also win the Nedbank Cup – after already lifting the MTN8 and Carling Knockout – as well as the Betway Premiership, where they are second on the log with 32 points, level with leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played a game more.