Ouaddou plans squad rotation as Orlando Pirates face 60-game season

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says careful squad management will be essential as the club balances a demanding schedule across several competitions.

The Buccaneers began the second preliminary round of their CAF Champions League campaign with a 1-0 first-leg victory over African Stars on Saturday.

Pirates are also still competing in three domestic tournaments after recently losing to Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final. With the second leg against African Stars still to come, followed by a derby, Ouaddou expects his side to play close to 60 matches this season.

The coach says that workload means he will need to use his entire squad rather than rely only on his preferred starting XI.

“We have a lot of fixtures. We play in the Carling [Knockout] Cup,” said Ouaddou.

“We will play in the second leg, we have the derby. This season we are going to play nearly 60 games.

“So, if you have seen the way that I’m working, the principle of rotation, with starting XI, with impact players. You understand that I never call my players substitution. There is no substitution. There is only players and impact players.”

Ouaddou’s approach was evident in the absence of regular starter Deon Hotto from the matchday action against African Stars. The coach said he had decided there was no need to use the experienced player in that fixture, although Hotto remains an important option for the matches ahead.

“So, sometimes Hoto is part of the starting XI. Today he was part of the impact players,” said Ouaddou.

“Unfortunately, the game didn’t give me the opportunity to bring him. But for sure, we still have one game left. Hopefully, he will be able to bring his experience.”