AFCON 2025: Ex-Morocco skipper reveals message to Orlando Pirates eight

Former Morocco national team captain and Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has shared his words of encouragement for the nine Buccaneers players selected to represent Bafana Bafana at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) later this month.

The Soweto giants added another piece of silverware to their cabinet after clinching the Carling Knockout title with a 1-0 victory over Marumo Gallants in the final at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. This triumph marked their second trophy of the season, having already lifted the MTN8 earlier in the campaign.

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has taken note of Pirates’ impressive form, selecting nine players from the squad for the international friendly against Zambia last month. That trend has continued, with the same nine names included in the squad for AFCON, which will be staged in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January.

The former Morocco captain Ouaddou earned 58 international caps between 2000 and 2009, finding the net three times while leading the Atlas Lions on the biggest stages. His career included appearances at several Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, where he showcased his leadership against the continent’s elite.

The selected players are Tshepang Moremi, Sipho Chaine, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Thalente Mbatha, Sipho Mbule, Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis, and Evidence Makgopa. In the previous edition of AFCON, Mamelodi Sundowns had the highest representation with 12 players in the national team squad.

In the previous edition of AFCON, Mamelodi Sundowns had the highest representation with 12 players in the national team squad.

Speaking after Pirates’ win over Gallants, Ouaddou revealed his message to the nine players heading to Morocco.

“The AFCON breaks come at the right moment because we have been playing so many games, if you take in consideration Champions League, cups and league,” Ouaddou told Kickoff.

“We played more games than many teams, so the break comes at the right moment, and it’s a moment of the national team as well.”

“The nation needs our players; the nation needs fit players. I want them to give everything; it’s not a holiday for some of them,” he added.

“The guys who are going to the national team, I’ll watch their games, and I’ll be close to them and will evaluate their performances because I told them, they must go to the national team and give 100% for their country.”

Meanwhile, Pirates will have to cope without their nine internationals when they face the Carling All-Stars in the Carling Cup at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.