Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained he needs to keep his squad fresh, with Relebohile Mofokeng a notable absentee from the squad to face Orbit College.
The Buccaneers aim to win back-to-back league games after beating Stellenbosch FC last time around. They enter the game on a high after knocking Mamelodi Sundowns out of the MTN8 to book a place in the final.
Ouaddou made three changes compared to the MTN8 semi-final, with Thalente Mbatha, Evidence Makgopa and Mofokeng replaced by Bandile Shandu, Abdoulaye Mariko and Tshegofatso Mabasa.
But while Mbatha and Makgopa are named on the bench, Mofokeng completely dropped out of the squad, with Ouaddou stating he needs to protect his players.
“The challenge when we play every three days is to find fresh blood, to protect the players as well,” he told SuperSport TV.
“But at the same time, we need results, we need to win. So, the challenge is to put a competitive team [out].
“At the same time some players who are fit.”
Did you know that the iDiski Times Digital Newspaper is completely free! Download it now by clicking the button below or fill in the form to have it sent to you every week.
