‘The US Is Finished’: Ouaddou Urges Pirates’ Bafana Stars To ‘Land Back On Earth’
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has revealed that injury troubles lingering from last season have flared up for Evidence Makgopa and Thalente Mbatha, ruling both key players out for an extended period.
Makgopa and Mbatha were absent from the Buccaneers’ 1–1 draw against AmaZulu at Kings Park Stadium on Wednesday after the club released a pre-match statement confirming their unavailability due to injury.
Mbatha featured in Pirates’ season opener—a 2–0 victory over newly promoted Milford FC at Orlando Amstel Arena on August 1—before missing this past weekend’s MTN8 quarter-final win over Durban City.
In contrast, Makgopa is yet to feature this season. Reports indicate the striker played through a knee injury during South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign and now faces around two months on the sidelines, while Mbatha’s recurring knee issue is expected to require surgical intervention.
“They are in the hands of the medical department. I think they have had some problems since last season that have been bothering them,” said Ouaddou.
“I cannot give you more information about that, but I know it’s just an examination with the doctors, and I hope it is not too bad for them.
“But both of them are injured.”
Ouaddou also voiced concern over the physical and mental state of his Bafana Bafana international contingent following their historic run to the knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Pirates were heavily represented in the national squad, including Makgopa, Mbatha, Oswin Appollis, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Sipho Chaine, Tshepang Moremi—who scored against AmaZulu—and Relebohile Mofokeng, who recently completed a transfer to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.
The Moroccan coach urged his returning stars to refocus quickly on club commitments, emphasizing that the World Cup campaign is firmly in the past.
“My worry is when am I going to recover the international players fully fit? Today, I saw a fantastic game from [Nkosinathi] Sibisi, top. Really, he played his role today. Sipho Chaine played his role,” said Ouaddou.
“But since the beginning of the season, I am playing with one or two men down. So, when am I going to recover them? I hope that happens as soon as possible because there is an emergency.
“You know that every point is very important. We are going to wait for these points at the end of the season. I need my international players to quickly land, let’s say, on our planet, in our hearts.
“The US is finished, and they need to quickly be part of the team spirit, understand the expectations of the club and the expectations of the fans, because football is very difficult to wait for. If we wait until December to get fit, it will be late.
“So, I really need them to come to the party.”
Following Wednesday’s draw against Usuthu, Orlando Pirates sit second in the Betway Premiership standings with four points from two matches.
The Buccaneers remain in Durban to face Chippa United at Kings Park Stadium on Sunday, where a win—coupled with favorable results elsewhere, including the marquee clash between Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns at FNB Stadium on Saturday—could lift them to the top of the table.
