Matuludi snub already biting Pirates? Ouaddou admits it is a ‘big concern’

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has voiced significant concern over the team’s lack of depth at right-back, identifying Kamogelo Sebelebele as the only specialised player for the position in his current squad.

The issue has been compounded by a series of off-season departures. The club saw Thabiso Lebitso and Siyabonga Ndlozi exit, Tshepo Mashiloane was sent on loan to Sekhukhune United, and Deano van Rooyen recently completed a surprise move to Mamelodi Sundowns.

This leaves the 24-year-old Sebelebele, who has started nine of the team’s 10 matches this season, shouldering the entire responsibility for the right side of the defense.

Ouaddou worried about Sebelebele

The Bafana Bafana international was even deployed as a winger in several matches last term, highlighting his versatility but also the strain on his primary role.

While Christian Derbyshire filled in during the 0-0 draw against La Cure Waves, Ouaddou dismissed this as a temporary fix. He compared using a centre-back out of position to using a car’s spare tire—not a sustainable solution for a team with high ambitions for the 2026/27 season.

“You’re right, it’s a big concern,” Ouaddou told iDiski Times. “Sebelebele, I love him, but I cannot push him for 60 games. It’s difficult; he’s not a robot. I can find some solutions sometimes, an emergency wheel, you know? When your car is stuck.”

Pirates feeling effects of Matuludi miss

“But the emergency wheel will not work all the time, especially in the way we want to play,” he continued. “If we want to propose some attacking football, using the wide channels, you can use a central defender for one or two games. But in the important games, you will need someone who is comfortable in that position.”

The club had reportedly been interested in Thabang Matuludi, but he also joined rivals Sundowns this week. Ouaddou mentioned that Ghampani Lungu, who has excelled as a forward, could potentially provide cover, but his recent return from injury limits that option for now.

“I can use Lungu, but he’s just coming back from injury, so the solutions are starting to be limited,” the coach admitted. “We’ll see what happens in the future.”

Since his arrival last season, Sebelebele has made 42 appearances for the Buccaneers, contributing seven goals and three assists.