Orlando Pirates boss Abdeslam Ouaddou urges club to sign right-back

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says the club must strengthen at right-back before the transfer window closes on September 21, warning that Kamogelo Sebelebele cannot be expected to play every match.

Pirates are short of options in the position after Deano Van Rooyen and Thabiso Lebitso followed Bandile Shandu out of the club at the end of last season. They also missed out on Bafana Bafana right-back Thabang Matuludi, who joined Mamelodi Sundowns from Polokwane City.

Sebelebele can play as a right wing-back, but Ouaddou believes another specialist option is required as Pirates prepare for a demanding campaign across several competitions.

“I love Sebelebele, but you cannot push him for 60 games. He is not a robot,” said Ouaddou after Pirates beat La Cure Waves 3-1 on Saturday to reach the final qualifying round of the CAF Champions League.

Pirates are defending their Betway Premiership title while also competing in the CAF Champions League and domestic cup competitions. That schedule will place greater demands on their squad and increase the need for depth in key positions.

Ouaddou accepts that players can be used out of position in an emergency, but he does not want that to become a regular solution for a side aiming to play attacking football.

“We can find, sometimes, some solutions, like an emergency wheel, you know, when your car is stuck. But an emergency wheel will not work every time, especially with the way we want to play.

“We want to play attacking football, using the wide channels. I can use a central defender (at right back) in one or two games. But other games you need someone confident in that position.”

The Moroccan coach’s comments indicate that finding a permanent right-back has become a priority before the deadline. Sebelebele is currently capable of filling the role, but his workload could become unsustainable over a season involving domestic and continental football.

Ouaddou wants the club to address the position rather than repeatedly relying on what he described as an “emergency wheel” whenever selection problems leave Pirates without a natural right-back.

However, there are currently no reported right-back targets for Orlando Pirates, leaving the club with limited time to find a solution before the transfer window shuts on September 21.