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Ouaddou sticks to squad rotation ahead of Arrows clash

football03 November 2025 14:50| © Backpage TXT
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Abdeslam Ouaddou © Gallo Images

To balance out a heavy fixture schedule during the 2025/26 campaign, Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou could look to rotate his squad once more as the Buccaneers prepare to do battle against Golden Arrows at the King Zwelithini in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday.

Kick-off is at 7:30pm (CAT, GMT+2).

CURRENT FORM

As it stands, Pirates are third on the Betway Premiership table on 19 points following their 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns this past Saturday.

The Soweto giants have played nine games so far, two less than log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, and trail the summit by three points.

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While Pirates recorded four wins and one draw in their last five games, Golden Arrows are in seventh spot, with three wins and two losses to their name in their previous handful of league fixtures.

Abafana Bes’thende will head into their next game on the back of a convincing 4-0 win over Marumo Gallants in a game that took place at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.

WHAT WAS SAID

After being questioned by his much talked about rotation policy at the club, Ouaddou recently expressed that he puts full trust in his players to perform.

With Ouaddou expected to make changes to his team yet again, the Pirates mentor believes that the sheer workload calls for player rotations.

“I have faith in all my players. I think you have seen how I’ve been working since the beginning of this season,” Ouaddou said.

“I tried to rotate the players because we’re playing many competitions, so I have faith in all my players,” Ouaddou said.

"I gave a chance to some players [against Sundowns]; the idea is to all the time have some freshness – because you see we are playing every three days, with high intensity, very important games, and at the same time, as an educator, not a coach, I want to protect the physical integrity of my players because I need them all season.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Golden Arrows: Thokozani Khumalo – After scoring a brace in Arrows’ recent 4-0 win against Marumo Gallants, Khumalo will no doubt be eager to continue his positive goal scoring form against a formidable opponent like Pirates later this week.

Orlando Pirates: Lebone Seema – After bagging his first Man of the Match award for Pirates against Mamelodi Sundowns this past weekend, Seema’s confidence will be sky high heading into their next fixture.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Last five league results:

2022/23 Orlando Pirates 3-1 Golden Arrows

2023/24 Golden Arrows 1-2 Orlando Pirates

2023/24 Orlando Pirates 7-1 Golden Arrows

2024/25 Golden Arrows 1-2 Orlando Pirates

2024/25 Orlando Pirates 3-0 Golden Arrows

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