Ouaddou expects Sebelebele to miss Champions League game after injury

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says Kamogelo Sebelebele will not be available for the club’s next Champions League fixture, although he remains hopeful the winger’s injury is not serious.

Sebelebele was injured during the MTN8 final and is still being assessed by Orlando Pirates’ medical department. Ouaddou said the club expects to have a clearer update soon.

“Look… he’s still being assessed by the medical department, I still hope it’s not so bad but we will have some more news soon,” Ouaddou said.

“I think for the Champions League, definitely I can’t use him, but we will see for the next games if we can have him or not, we hope it’s not too bad.”

The injury meant an opportunity for new signing Bulelani Sigomoshe, who made his first appearance for Orlando Pirates in Tuesday evening’s 3-0 win over TS Galaxy.

Sigomoshe joined from Milford FC and was selected at right-back. He started the match, played for more than an hour and helped create one of the goals before being substituted.

Ouaddou praised the 26-year-old’s approach and said he made a point of congratulating him as he left the pitch.

“When he came out I just congratulated him for the time he spent on the pitch, it’s really… a player with fantastic mentality, for me – if I can have many players like that to work with, I will be the most happy coach,” Ouaddou said.

The Orlando Pirates coach explained that Sigomoshe’s debut was recognition for his effort in training, despite the availability of other players who could have filled the position.

“Fantastic mentality, very professional, very respectful, he’s worked very hard in training, so we wanted to give his opportunity to play today, we had other options, we could have gone for another choice, but I wanted to reward him for the work he’s done in training.”

Sigomoshe adapting to higher demands

The move from Milford FC to Orlando Pirates has exposed Sigomoshe to a greater level of intensity, with Ouaddou revealing that the defender had been surprised by the demands of training.

“Since he’s come [he’s impressed]. It’s not easy to adapt, you can ask him, he was just shocked of the intensity of training, he’s never seen this, but I just told him it’s the high level and if he continues to work like this, he will be able to play 90 minutes.”

Ouaddou also identified the main physical challenge facing a player in Sigomoshe’s position: repeatedly producing high-intensity efforts while recovering quickly between them.

“The most important thing in his position is repeating high intensity effort and give him body the opportunity to recover quickly, it’s the challenge, today I want to congratulate him, he was good.”

Orlando Pirates will now await the outcome of Sebelebele’s medical assessment, with further news expected soon. Sigomoshe’s encouraging first start could provide Ouaddou with another option at right-back during the club’s domestic and continental campaign.