Ouaddou warns Pirates stars amid rotation policy: ‘I am not here to give gifts’

Soweto giants Orlando Pirates opened a six-point gap on top of the Premier Soccer League table thanks to their 3-0 win over Marumo Gallants in their last outing last weekend.

Strikes from Yanela Mbuthuma, Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng were enough to hand Bucs maximum points. Currently, they are on 38 points from 16 games while the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns have managed to collect 32 after 15 matches.

Sekhukhune United are currently third in the log after collecting 32 points, but have played 18 games as Kaizer Chiefs drop to fourth with two two less points having participated in 15 fixtures.

Both Masandawana and the Glamour Boys were competing in CAF inter-club competitions last weekend, and the Sea Robbers fully capitalised on the situation to widen the gap.

Ouaddou warns his stars

Pirates have been rotating players but still remain strong as they keep to consistently get positive results. But Ouaddou insists he will consider players who are committed to see Bucs deliver.

“To keep the competition within the team, you need to involve everybody,” the former Morocco international said in a presser.

“When I say involve everybody, I’m not here to give gifts. I evaluate the performance of the guys in training, the guys who are professional, who are working, they deserve to play.

“And they get the chance to play and are included in this rotation. This is very important if you want to be ambitious in any league. My mentality since I’m a coach is to have this kind of rotation. But the guys have to deserve it, it mustn’t be the gifts,” Ouaddou concluded.

On Wednesday, Pirates face Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premier Soccer League contest at the Orlando Amstel Arena.