Home » Betway Premiership » Pirates coach Ouaddou issues update on Nduli’s injury

Pirates coach Ouaddou issues update on Nduli’s injury

Sihle Nduli. Picture courtesy of Orlando Pirates/Facebook

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has issued an injury update on Sihle Nduli, assessing the chances of the midfielder returning to action before the end of the 2025/26 season.

Ouaddou commented on Nduli’s injury following Pirates’ 5-0 thrashing of Golden Arrows in the Betway Premiership at Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto on Tuesday night.

The Buccaneers collected crucial maximum points in the title race against Mamelodi Sundowns thanks to two goals apiece from Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis, while Ayabulela Maxwele scored an own goal from a Kamogelo Sebelebele shot.

Despite the impressive win over Arrows, Pirates remained second on the log standings, having accumulated 54 points in 23 matches, and they are pushing defending Sundowns, who are at the summit of the table with 56 points.

Masandawana also won their match on Tuesday after claiming a narrow 1-0 victory over Durban City FC at Chatsworth Stadium. The Tshwane giants’ solitary goal came from Katlego ‘Tsiki’ Ntshabeleng in the first half.

With the race to win the league intensifying, Pirates coach has provided an update on whether Nduli, alongside another senior player, Tapelo Xoki, will return before the end of the season.

WHAT OUADDOU SAID ABOUT NDULI AND XOKI

Abdeslam Ouaddou. Picture courtesy of Orlando Pirates/X

Ouaddou revealed that Nduli and Xoki are currently doing the rehabilitation, and he can’t predict when the duo will return to the matchday squad. The central midfielder played a major role at Pirates in the first round of the campaign since joining the club in July 2025 on a free transfer after parting ways with Stellenbosch FC.

In the current season, Nduli has featured in 18 matches across all competitions. He played a big role in helping Pirates clinch the 2025 MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup. Meanwhile, Xoki is yet to make any official appearance this season as he’s nursing a long-term injury.

“He [Nduli] is doing well; he’s in rehabilitation now. It’s very important to stay close with these kinds of players, not only him, Tapelo as well,” Ouaddou said.

“They are part of our senior players, they are very experienced, and they are both doing well. We are seeing that they are starting to return to the pitch and running. So they are on track.

“But I cannot tell if maybe we have a chance to see them before the end of the season, because you know that it has been very serious injuries for both of them. The most important thing is to make a good rehabilitation in order to come back stronger.”