Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has expressed immense pride after the club became the biggest contributor to Hugo Broos’ final Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming AFCON, cementing the Soweto giants’ rising influence on the national team. The Buccaneers, who currently top the Betway Premiership table, saw nine of their players named in Broos’s final selection announced on Monday.
In the previous AFCON, Mamelodi Sundowns had the most players [8], but this time saw that number drop to 5. The nine players donning the national colours from the Bucs are club captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, Sipho Chaine, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Evidence Makgopa, Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Thalente Mbatha, and Sipho Mbule.
Speaking at the Carling Knockout final media open day, Ouaddou emphasised the call-ups as a confirmation of the club’s dedication to South African football.
“We are proud as a club. I’m proud as a coach of my players being so represented in the national team,” Ouaddou said. “I told you before in some press conference that Orlando Pirates is a club that works for the nation. We’re available to the national team and to the national team coach for collaboration. So, of course, when we see such a number of players, we want to wish them all the best.”
OUADDOU SPELLS OUT PIRATES’ ‘TARGET THIS WEEK’
Despite the excitement surrounding the AFCON selections, the Moroccan was quick to bring the focus back to the immediate task at hand for the Buccaneers.
“But before the national team, we have a target this week,” he cautioned, referring to the Carling final against his former club Marumo Gallants. The final is scheduled for the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday. “Of course, after that, we will wish them good luck for the upcoming AFCON.”
Meanwhile, Ouaddou said the Carling Cup was a very important competition for them. He added that they had previously focused on their Betway Premier League games as he doesn’t “like to mix targets”.
“The players and I and the staff were working to get results in the PSL, but at the same time, we had this target in the corner of our heads. So, it’s the moment. It’s the week. And now we are fully focused on this target to achieve this.”
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