Orlando Pirates News Today: Ouaddou unfazed by ‘tired’ players, Chiefs icon advises Dansin & more

Latest Orlando Pirates news, including Abdeslam Ouaddou’s stance on the tight turnaround ahead of the MTN8 final and Doctor Khumalo’s words for youngster Cemran Dansin.

Ouaddou not interfering despite MTN8 pressure

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has made it clear that he will not involve himself in national team matters, even as the Buccaneers face a squeeze between Bafana Bafana’s international window and the MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns on 10 October.

Pirates are among the busiest sides in South Africa this season, having played in the CAF Champions League preliminary rounds, the Betway Premiership — where they sit second with 19 points from seven games, one behind leaders Sundowns — and the cup final on the horizon.

Six Bucs players have been called up to the Bafana squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, along with the friendly against Egypt on 4 October, leaving just six days before the Wafa-Wafa showpiece.

Asked whether he had made any arrangements with SAFA to get his players back early, Ouaddou was unequivocal.

“I’ve been an international for 13 years, playing four African Cups,” he said as per iDiski Times.  “When it’s time to wear the international uniform for the country, to represent the country, it’s time to go. It’s like when the army calls somebody to defend the country.”

The Moroccan tactician acknowledged the physical cost but insisted there was no choice to be made.

“These players will not have rest, but it’s the job of when you are an international. We cannot choose. It’s time to go to represent your people, and you have to be proud. And even if you are tired, you don’t have to feel the tiredness because you are going to represent your people. It’s like when you are a soldier.”

Khumalo’s advice to Pirates youngster

Elsewhere, Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has offered a word of comfort to Pirates youngster Cemran Dansin after the 21-year-old was cut from Pitso Mosimane’s final Bafana Bafana squad for the September window.

Dansin, a product of the Pirates DDC ranks and now in his second senior season at the club, had been named in the preliminary group before missing the final call.

“Preliminary, it’s a hope that ‘oh, I was selected’,” said the former Bafana icon. “Dansin — the young boy from Orlando Pirates — Pitso is talking to us to say these are youngsters that we need to groom.

“Just to show that boys, you are part of my journey, you are part of the preliminary squad. But because I’m going to my first war, let me take the experienced soldiers — but I haven’t forgotten about you, boy.”