Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has explained how the Buccaneers have remained a strong outfit even as coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has rotated his players.
In a show of depth and quality, the Soweto giants’ coach has been switching players, seemingly as experiments. But Pirates remain a highly competitive side, wedging a strong challenge for the Betway Premiership title and are in the final of the Carling Knockout.
In recent matches, Ouaddou has been making tweaks to the centre-back pairing of Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Lebone Seema.
Masindi Nemtajela has started to enjoy some game time in a central midfield that has Thalente Mbatha, the injured Sihle Nduli, Abdoulaye Mariko and a fit-again Mkhehlene Makhaula. Even the top-performing Sipho Mbule has found himself on the bench in some games.
Winger Tshepang Moremi is now a regular starter as Oswin Appollis is being benched of late, while Relebohile Mofokeng recently returned from a spell on the sidelines. After Boitumelo Radiopane began the season as the first as first-choice striker, Evidence Makgopa and Yanela Mbuthuma have been alternating in recent games.
However, the goalkeeping department is the only area where the rotation policy has not been implemented, leaving Chaine the undoubted number one.
“I’m feeling good [cementing his position as first-choice goalkeeper]. I think we are in a good space as a club, as a team,” Chaine said.
“We just need to build on what we have already achieved this season, and this weekend [Carling Knockout final against Marumo Gallants] is no different; we have to go for it. It’s Orlando Pirates at the end of the day, nothing comes small, it’s not one of those games that you could take for granted.”
NO POSITION GUARANTEES FROM OUADDOU AND PIRATES REMAIN SOLID
“Camaraderie and the team spirit in what we have built over a couple of years [are strengthening Pirates]. New players coming in, I might say a bit of young players coming in made it much easier for us as a team to come together to gel,” said Chaine
“Whoever is on the pitch on the day is able to deliver because we have built the team spirit. We have built brotherhood in the team.
“For us, that’s the most important thing, that’s what wins us trophies and makes you a very good team as you are seeing this season. It’s not a lot about tactics, but the most important thing is how you can become a team on the day.”
OUADDOU’S INFLUENCE AS A FORMER TOP FOOTBALLER
Ouaddou is a former central defender with vast experience playing in the English Premier League and the Moroccan national team.
“He helps a lot. There was doubt in the team, which is normal. It puts us together as a team, and I think as a collective one of the biggest things that we’ve got better at is just coming together as a group,” the Bafana Bafana goalkeeper added.
“We don’t just defend with four players and a goalkeeper. If you can see the work the strikers, the wingers do, it’s the most important thing to us.”
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