Pirates’ international call-ups test Ouaddou ahead of MTN8 final

Orlando Pirates face a unique challenge ahead of the MTN8 final as seven of their players returned from international duty on Wednesday with the showdown set for Saturday, while Stellenbosch started preparations with Bafana Bafana’s Thabo Moloisane the only one missing. 

From Pirates Bafana called up Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Oswin Appollis, Kamohelo Sebelebele, Thalente Mbatha, Sipho Chaine, and Relebohile Mofokeng. 

While Chaine and Mofokeng did not feature against Lesotho or Nigeria in the World Cup qualifiers, their presence with the national team still meant missing training sessions with Pirates.

Deon Hotto joined Namibia for their fixtures. 

Players returned to their teams on Wednesday ahead of a crucial final, leaving Pirates with limited time to manage recovery and reintegration.

Former Bafana defender Morgan Gould weighed in on the delicate balance of physical and psychological readiness for players returning from international duty.

“It will play a huge role, it goes without saying because it’s a question of 'will the players that were participating get enough rest or will they be mentally fitm, especially if they played in the national team,” Gould said.

He added that proper management could be decisive in a high-stakes game like the MTN8 final.

“It’s a lot of psychological and physical factors that will come into play but we can’t make excuses, they are there and they are representing their national teams and the team that can manage them best will get the best results from their players,” Gould explained.

Gould also urged caution when comparing Pirates’ current coach Abdeslam Ouaddou to his predecessor José Riveiro, under whom the club won five trophies in three years. 

The successes of Riveiro now places enormous expectations on Ouaddou’s shoulders.

“I would be foolish to compare the two coaches, Riveiro had enough time, Ouaddou has been there less than three months, so it would be foolish in any regard to compare them,” he said.

He stressed that coaching success is a long-term process and immediate glory is rare.

“It takes you 10 years to find your system, it takes 10 years to find glory and another 10 to know who you are as a coach so it’s a ball game,” Gould said.

He also highlighted the pressure inherent in managing a club like Pirates, where past success sets high expectations.

“He’s found a team that’s been doing well and the best way is for him to start from scratch but the big teams always want glory because that’s all they know so the demand is on the coach immediately,” he said.

Pirates’ coaching staff had to carefully manage their returning players, monitor fatigue, and ensure they are mentally and physically ready for Saturday’s final. 

Stellenbosch, meanwhile, benefitted from continuity, with most of their squad having been fully available for preparations.

However, Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker dismissed suggestions that Pirates’ heavy national team involvement ahead of the final will give his side a decisive advantage.