Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained the surprise decision to include Simphiwe Selepe in the starting line-up during the clash against Durban City FC as Bucs continue their pursuit of a first league title in 14 years.
The Buccaneers were held to a frustrating goalless draw by a stubborn Durban City side in the Betway Premiership at a packed Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Durban City burst Pirates’ bubble, preventing the Soweto giants from collecting three points that would have moved them level with Mamelodi Sundowns and effectively handed them the title on goal difference.
The KZN-based side deployed a reinforced defence to thwart a Pirates attack that had been free-flowing over their last few matches. Following the dropped points at home, the Buccaneers’ title ambitions will now be decided on the final day of the season next weekend against Orbit College FC at Mbombela Stadium.
The Sea Robbers sit second on the log with 66 points from 29 games, while Sundowns remain at the summit with 68 points, having concluded their Premiership campaign midweek with a 3-2 defeat against TS Galaxy.
‘HE DESERVED IT’: OUADDOU ON THE TRAINING FORM THAT EARNED SELEPE A START
In what was a crucial match for Pirates against Durban City, head coach Ouaddou made the shock decision to name Selepe in the starting line-up, benching experienced campaigner Makhehlene Makhaula. Interestingly, Selepe was in the starting line-up for the club’s DDC side just last Saturday, putting in a commanding midfield display as they beat Sundowns to clinch their historic, first-ever reserve league title. His dominant performance clearly demonstrated that he has outgrown the reserve ranks.
“Just a week after his DDC heroics, the starlet made his first senior appearance of the 2025/26 campaign. Speaking post-match, the former Marumo Gallants tactician emphasised that the youth graduate’s impressive form in training earned him a well-deserved place in the starting XI.
“About Selepe, I think he’s a player that you know from last season. I think he played a couple of games and he played well,” said Ouaddou.
“Today [Saturday] was the right moment to bring him because he has shown us great things in training, and it was a profile that we needed to find him between the lines. He did well; he was able to play forward passes and have combinations between the lines.
“He was very aggressive without the ball, and in the air as well. I think it’s very good for Pirates to have such young players. To explain to you why we bring them late [in the season], there’s competition, a strong group in the midfield.”
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