Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns use identical 34-player rotation

Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have each used 34 players during the 2026/27 season, with both clubs having played 18 matches before the demands of their November schedules begin.

The figures show that Abdeslam Ouaddou and Miguel Cardoso have distributed playing time across their squads in almost exactly the same way so far.

Ouaddou has guided Orlando Pirates to 15 wins, two draws and one defeat from their 18 matches, while Cardoso’s Mamelodi Sundowns have recorded 13 wins, four draws and one loss.

At Pirates, Sipho Chaine is the only player to have featured for every minute of the campaign. The goalkeeper has accumulated 1650 minutes.

Lebone Seema, Thapelo Mokobodi, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Oswin Appollis, Deon Hotto, Tshepang Moremi and Yanela Mbuthuma have also taken on significant roles in Ouaddou’s squad.

Makhehlene Makhalula, Kabelo Dlamini, Andre de Jong and Tapelo Xoki are among those who have not yet been used by the Pirates coach.

Goalkeepers Siyabonga Dladla and Dublin Boon are also listed among the players yet to feature. Dladla did, however, come on as a substitute in the 64th minute of the CAF Champions League second-leg fixture against African Stars.

Allende and Matthews maintain their run

Cardoso has also selected 34 players during Sundowns’ campaign, which has already brought trophies alongside their record of 13 victories, four draws and one defeat.

Marcelo Allende and Tashreeq Matthews have appeared in all 18 matches, although neither has matched Chaine’s record of playing every minute.

Allende has continued to hold an important position in the Sundowns squad during what is his final season at the club.

Matthews has extended a sequence of 81 consecutive appearances. That run began on April 13, 2025, when he came on as a substitute against Kaizer Chiefs.

Sundowns’ unused players include goalkeepers Denis Onyango and Reyaad Pieterse, as well as recent signings Dean van Rooyen and Lazola Maku.

The matching player totals underline how both coaches have relied on broad squads during the opening stages of the season, despite the different results recorded by Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.