Why Ouaddou Welcomes The FIFA Break Before Massive Sundowns MTN8 Final

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has stressed the importance of the FIFA international break, saying the period will be vital for his players to recover and recharge.

Pirates head into the international break on a positive note after securing a 2-0 Betway Premiership victory over Marumo Gallants at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday.

The Buccaneers sit just one point behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on 19 points, while also having a game in hand.

However, six Pirates players have been called up to represent Bafana Bafana during the international break, meaning they will not have the same opportunity to rest and recover as their teammates.

“No, you’re right. To be honest, you know, we’ve been playing every three days for two months now. You understand?” said Ouaddou.

“So, I always say that in a periodisation, you need to have at least a moment of regeneration break. You know, a regeneration break is very important because you cannot push, push, push, push the players until you break them.

“We ask a lot of them in terms of physical effort and concentration because they have many rules to follow, the game plan and different opposition to play against. They must adapt to the training. You cannot understand how very, very difficult it is for a player.”

After the FIFA break, Pirates will lock horns with Sundowns in the highly anticipated MTN8 final on 10 October.

“So, this FIFA break comes at the right time to have some psychological regeneration and some physical regeneration for the players, to rest and then to come back even stronger. I think it’s necessary.

“I don’t think that we break our momentum. This FIFA break comes at the right time to give some rest to the players. It’s necessary,” Ouaddou added.