Orlando Pirates face right-back crisis after key departures

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says the club’s shortage of right-backs has become a major concern after a series of departures left Kamogelo Sebelebele as the team’s only specialised option.

The Soweto club have released Bandile Shandu, who joined Durban City, Thabiso Lebitso, who moved to Stellenbosch FC, and Deano Van Rooyen, whose contract was ended by mutual agreement before he joined Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Buccaneers also sent Tshepo Mashiloane back to Sekhukhune United while he was on loan, further reducing their options in the position.

Their situation was made more difficult when reported target Thabang Matuludi joined Mamelodi Sundowns last week. The Brazilians also signed Van Rooyen as a free agent after Khuliso Mudau suffered a long-term injury, meaning Sundowns now have concerns of their own at right-back.

Ouaddou spoke after Orlando Pirates beat La Cure Waves 3-1 in the second leg of their CAF Champions League first-round qualifying tie at Orlando Stadium.

“You’re right, it’s a big concern. Sebelebele, even though I love him, but I cannot push him (to play) 60 games, it’s difficult, he’s not a robot,” he said.

“I can sometimes find some solutions, some emergency wheel. You know when your car is stuck but the emergency wheel will not work every time, especially (with) the way we want to play.”

The Moroccan-French coach said he could use a central defender in certain matches, but believed the team needed a specialist for important fixtures.

“If you want to propose some attacking football, by using the wide channels, you can use a central defender in one or two games. But in the important games, we definitely need somebody (else) who is confirmed in that position,” Ouaddou added.

“Of course I can use (Gamphani) Lungu but actually Lungu is coming back from injury and so ja the solutions are a bit limited, we’ll see.”

A long-standing concern

The problem dates back several years. After taking charge in June 2022, former Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro described the position as a recurring difficulty.

Speaking to journalists in 2024, Riveiro said the club had been forced to look for alternatives, including using Paseka Mako as a right-back for almost half of the previous season.

“[The position is] not a problem, but for many reasons it’s true that it’s been a headache for us,” Riveiro said.

He explained that injuries had limited the availability of Bandile Shandu and Thabiso Monyane, while the club frequently had to use a substitute to cover the position.

Riveiro had viewed Lebitso, signed from Chippa United in the January 2024 transfer window, as a possible answer.

He said Lebitso had the ability to play the role, particularly according to the demands of a match and the team’s build-up, and praised the club’s recruitment of him.

Lebitso’s move to Stellenbosch FC has since left Ouaddou with even fewer choices as Orlando Pirates compete in domestic and continental competitions.