Orlando Pirates News Today: Appollis’ injury update, struggles of Pedersen, & more…

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Orlando Pirates News Today: Appollis’ injury update, struggles of Pedersen, & more…

The latest Orlando Pirates news in the last 24 hours including Dr. Irvin Khoza’s comments after Mandla Ncikazi’s exit, latest on Sebastian Pedersen struggles, Oswin Appollis recovery from injury, and more.

Pirates news as they break

He leaves with our blessing

Orlando Pirates chairman Dr Irvin Khoza has shared a farewell message with Mandla Ncikazi after he left his role as assistant coach at the club.

Ncikazi had been with the club since June 2021, taking up different roles, including co-coaching alongside Fadlu Davids in 2021/22 when they reached the CAF Confederation Cup final but lost to RS Berkane on penalties.

While Davids left the club, Ncikazi stayed on and worled as assistant to Jose Riveiro and later Abdeslam Ouaddou.

“Mandla leaves with our gratitude and our blessing. His contribution to Orlando Pirates has been evident throughout his time with us. We respect his wish,” Pirates chairman Dr. Irvin Khoza told the club’s media team.

Orlando Pirates chairman DrIrvin Khoza
Irvin Khoza, Orlando Pirates

During his time at Mayfair, Pirates won four successive MTN8 titles, two Nedbank Cups, the Carling Knockout, the Carling Black Label Cup and the Betway Premiership title.

Latest on Pedersen’s struggles

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says Sebastian Pedersen ‘is not far’ from becoming a starter but was wary of throwing him in the deep end without adapting completely, which includes the altitude factor.

Pedersen arrived in a competitive attacking department, with Ouaddou highlighting the importance of carefully managing his integration into a new environment rather than rushing him into action.

With less than 90 minutes of action under his belt since his arrival from Norway, the likes of Yanela Mbuthuma, Evidence Makgopa and Boitumelo Radiopane are seemingly ahead of the pecking order.

But the Pirates coach is pleased with the forward’s commitment and progress in training but believes several factors must be considered before giving him an extended run in the team.

“There’s no issues with Sebastian, I’m happy with his commitment, I’m happy about his integration, we are doing everything to help him,” Ouaddou said.

“Like I said, we have many strikers in that area. For sure, he’s working very hard in training, we are trying to give him really 90 minutes in the legs, with the impact players, and he’s doing well. So I’m just expecting the right moment to bring him into our team. I’m sure he’s somebody who is going to help us.

“At the same time, I already spoke about this issue, when you come into a new environment, it’s very important to bring the player in at the right timing. I don’t want to burn the player, so we have to analyse the right moment to bring him in, to help the team.

Sebastien Pedersen
Sebastien Pedersen in training, Image: Orlando Pirates

“He’s close. What I’m seeing in training, he’s doing great things. Something that is very important as well, he comes into a city where we are over 1,000 meters altitude. You understand, so when you play at sea level and you come to a city playing at high altitude, it’s not easy, hey, it’s not easy.

“All these factors must be taken into consideration in order to help the player,” he concluded.

Appollis’ injury update

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has provided an update on Oswin Appollis after the winger returned to training, although the Buccaneers are taking a cautious approach to his recovery.

Appollis missed Pirates’ 1-0 victory over African Stars in the first leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie after being stretchered off during the team’s 3-0 Betway Premiership win over TS Galaxy.

“Look, I’m happy that he’s coming back in training. The target today was to assess him, to see what he’s able to do, and we start with the warm-up to see if he can sprint. So, it’s good news that I spoke with him at the end of training.

“He told me that he doesn’t feel any more pain. But at the same time, you have to understand that Oswin is really an important player in our team. I call them, they are all Ferraris, you know.

Oswin Appollis of Orlando Pirates.
Oswin Appollis of Orlando Pirates. Image: Orlando Pirates

“They are all Ferraris. It means Ferraris, you have to take care of the engine very well, and I don’t want to take a risk with one of the important players. So, we have many games, somebody mentioned it, important games.

“So, we have to be careful and not to burn the stages more,” Ouaddou concluded.

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Willis Sob

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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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