Orlando Pirates Abdeslam Ouaddou has found time to discuss the club’s key player and reigning PSL Midfielder of the Season, Makhehlene Makhaula’s extended period on the sidelines.
The 35-year-old was injured in May, which saw him miss out on the pre-season tour of Spain, and he is yet to play competitive football this season.
Injury struck while he was on top of his game, culminating in being named as 2024/25 PSL Midfielder of the Season even after being out at the tail end of the campaign.
While he is out recovering, Ouaddou has the likes of Sihle Nduli, Thalente Mbatha, Masindi Nemtajela and Abdoulaye Mariko to pick from in central midfield.
That depth in the engineroom presents Makhaula with a big challenge to reclaim his place in the team when he regains full fitness. Already, the Buccaneers’ central midfield is considered one of their strongest departments.
OUADDOU SHEDS LIGHT ON MAKHAULA’S FITNESS BATTLE
After returning to full training with the rest of the squad a few weeks ago, the player who hails from Randfontein is now back to light workouts, having felt he was not totally healed.
“Makhaula is in a good way. He came back, but you know, when you have such a long-term injury, sometimes you come back and after that you still feel pain,” said Ouaddou.
“So with the medical department, sometimes you don’t want to take a risk and lose him for a long time. So, he came back, he felt pain, and now he is recovering again. I think he is close to coming back to training. Now he is running, and I hope he will join us very soon because he is an important player for me.
“I was following him before. I love his character, I love his leadership, and he is definitely someone who can bring something to the team.”
However, with the season being long, the Moroccan coach can always bank on Makhaula in the latter stages of the term when those currently playing start feeling tired legs.
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