Ouaddou Banks On Ndah And Sesane As Pirates Eye League Title
Orlando Pirates coach Abdelsam Ouaddou is hopeful of relying on Olisa Ndah and Thabiso Sesane when the second half of the season gets underway, as the Buccaneers look to cement their position in the Betway Premiership.
Ouaddou says he has remained in close contact with the defenders to remind them how important they are to the team.
Pirates lifted the Carling Cup after defeating the Carling All Stars at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, and the match also marked a welcome return for Ndah and Sesane. The pair had been sidelined for a combined 22 months, missing 13 and nine months respectively due to long-term injuries.
Ouaddou deployed Ndah and Sesane in a back three alongside Lebone Seema, who joined Pirates from TS Galaxy during the off-season.
Seema has previously featured regularly at the back with Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Nkosinathi Sibisi, a combination that helped Pirates win the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout titles.
However, Mbokazi has since been sold to Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire in the United States. As a result, Pirates will be hoping Ndah and Sesane can fill that gap as the club pushes for the Betway Premiership title.
With the season set to pause for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026, Sibisi is part of the Bafana Bafana squad. The club will be hoping he returns without injury from the North African tournament.
Pirates ended the year in fine form, winning three trophies and sitting top of the league standings with 28 points from 12 matches, two points clear of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played one game more.
“It was so important for them, and so important for us. We have a big squad,” said Ouaddou.
“Unfortunately, it’s difficult for me to make choices because we have 11 very good players for the team sheet. If FIFA president Gianni Infantino changes the law in the next few years or months, it would be easier for me to play more players.
“But they know how important they are to me. All the players you’ve seen are working hard in training, and I stay in close communication with them to let them know how important they are to us.
“Maybe at the end of the season, some of these players will help us to be successful.
“They have been professionals for a long time. On Saturday, I had the opportunity to give them a chance, and they showed their quality in a fantastic way. I’m very happy for them, and they need to continue like that if they want to challenge for a regular place.”
