Why Orlando Pirates coach Ouaddou is welcoming AFCON break despite good run

South African domestic football has taken a break until January to pave way for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), starting on Sunday, December 21.

Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana have been put in Group B alongside Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe. Eight teams will be sent home from the initial phase with the rest advancing to the Round of 16.

Orlando Pirates have been doing well locally; prior to the break, they had won MTN8, Carling Knockout and are currently top of the Premier Soccer League table with 28 points, two more than the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns who have played a game more.

However, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou insists the break is a blessing in disguise for the Soweto giants.

Why Ouaddou welcomes AFCON break

“I think the break has come at the right moment because we have been playing so many games,” the former Fulham defender told the media..

“If you consider the CAF Champions League games, the cup games, the PSL games; I cannot even tell you exactly how many matches we’ve played.

“But we definitely played more games than Marumo, more games than many other teams. So, the break comes at the right moment, and it is also an important time for the national team.

“The nation needs our players, the nation needs fit players, and I want to give everything. It is not a holiday for some of them,” Ouaddou concluded.

 Sipho Chaine, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Mbekezeli Mbokazi – who has joined Chicago Fire in the Major Soccer League, Tshepang Moremi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Sipho Mbule, Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa are the players from Bucs who will compete at AFCON.