Ouaddou Gives Injury Update On Mbatha & Sebelebele

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has provided injury updates on key players Thalente Mbatha and Kamogelo Sebelebele following the Buccaneers’ 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy, explaining that he does not want to take any unnecessary risks with their fitness.

Mbatha was left out of the matchday squad, while Sebelebele missed the encounter entirely and is set to miss the Buccaneers’ upcoming CAF Champions League qualifier this weekend.

Pirates returned to Betway Premiership action with a convincing victory over TS Galaxy at Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday evening, following their MTN8 final defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns over the weekend.

The Buccaneers were without two key players, Mbatha and Sebelebele, who both featured in Saturday’s final. Mbatha was substituted in the second half, while Sebelebele was forced off through injury just before the interval in Durban.

Speaking after the victory over Galaxy, Ouaddou explained that Mbatha was rested as a precaution to avoid jeopardising his fitness ahead of the club’s upcoming CAF Champions League qualifier against African Stars FC at the Botswana National Stadium on Saturday.

“Yes, about Mbatha. When he came back from the national team, he had surgery, and we did everything to bring him back in terms of rehabilitation,” Ouaddou said.

“I think it was a surprise for you to see him in the MTN8 final, and I was amazed by his performance in the final. It had been a long time since I had seen such quality from Mbatha at such a high level.

“We don’t want to take any risks with Mbatha. He is an important player for us, and we play again two days later, so we don’t want to take any risks with him.”

Meanwhile, Ouaddou confirmed that Sebelebele remains under assessment by the club’s medical department, with his availability for upcoming matches still uncertain.

“He is still being assessed by the medical department,” the Pirates coach said.

“I hope it is nothing too serious, and we should have more news soon. However, I definitely cannot use him for the Champions League, but we will see whether he will be available for the next games. We hope it is nothing too serious.”

Pirates will now turn their attention to continental competition as they prepare for their CAF Champions League assignment. With Mbatha being managed carefully and Sebelebele undergoing further assessment, Ouaddou will be hoping both players can return to action as soon as possible to strengthen his squad for the demanding fixtures ahead.