Orlando Pirates boss Abdeslam Ouaddou wary of burnout for Bafana Bafana core in gruelling season ahead

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says carefully managing his Bafana Bafana internationals will be central to the club’s hopes of coping with a marathon season that could stretch to nearly 60 matches.

Pirates, who lifted the Betway Premiership title last term, are preparing for another congested campaign, with the Soweto club also involved in the CAF Champions League, MTN8, Carling Knockout Cup and Nedbank Cup.

If the Buccaneers advance deep into each competition, Ouaddou’s side could approach the 60-game mark, a workload he acknowledges will place significant strain on a group already pushed to its limits during the off-season.

Several Pirates players were on international duty at the Fifa World Cup in North America, with the club initially providing eight members of Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana squad. That number has since fallen to seven following Relebohile Mofokeng’s transfer abroad after the tournament.

Those internationals were granted an extended holiday before rejoining pre-season, as Pirates attempted to offset the physical and psychological toll of a summer spent on the game’s biggest stage.

Squad management key to trophy push

Speaking at the Betway Premiership season launch in Johannesburg on Tuesday, Ouaddou admitted that balancing the club’s ambition for silverware with the need to safeguard his internationals would be one of the defining tests of his first full campaign in charge.

“The players were at the World Cup with a lot of pressure, activity and demand. We gave them a small break but at the same time we need them,” Ouaddou said.

“We don’t have any other choice but to bring them back into the business but at the same time we need to protect them because we have a long season with a lot of games.”

With Pirates expected to compete for honours on every front, Ouaddou accepts that intelligent rotation and careful monitoring of workloads will be as important as tactical decisions as the season unfolds.

Science and data to guide decisions

The Moroccan coach believes the club’s backroom staff will be central to keeping his key players fit and available, particularly during periods when fixtures come in rapid succession.

“Between the performances department and the medical department, we have to find the right balance to bring them closer to us and at the same time manage them,” he said.

“If we have a large score then maybe we can take them out in order for them to have more rest.”

Ouaddou is expected to lean heavily on sports science data and input from his performance and medical teams when deciding who to start, who to rest and when to withdraw players during matches.

Depth offers room to rotate

One advantage for Pirates is the depth of their squad after another active transfer window. New signings have stiffened competition across the pitch, providing Ouaddou with more options to rotate without, in his view, significantly diluting the quality of his starting XI.

That strength in depth could prove pivotal over the coming months as Pirates attempt to retain their Betway Premiership crown while pursuing trophies in four additional competitions.

With the workload set to increase further if they progress in the CAF Champions League and domestic cups, Ouaddou is under no illusions that preserving player welfare will be as crucial as any tactical game plan.

As the Buccaneers brace themselves for a relentless schedule, their coach knows that how effectively he manages the demands on his Bafana Bafana contingent may go a long way to determining whether Pirates can sustain another successful season on multiple fronts.