Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has given an update on the availability of the trio of Nkosinathi Sibisi, Makhehleni Makhaula and Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi ahead of the MTN8 final against Stellenbosch.
Pirates will compete for an unprecedented fourth straight Wafa Wafa title in a repeat of last year’s final at a sold-out Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
Captain Sibisi has played two matches for the Buccaneers this season before his injury, while Makhaula is yet to feature for the side at all due to an injury he picked in the previous campaign and Tito suffered a minor knock in Pirates’ last outing.
Ouaddou is happy to have the players back in training, however as far as Makhaula is concerned the coach says the technical team are going to consult the medical team as a precaution to not risk the player if there is no need.
“First of all I’d like to welcome back our captain [Sibisi], it was a long time so I’m very happy that he’s back to the team,” said Ouaddou.
“You know for a coach when you see such players coming back, very important players for the club, that achieved a lot for the club, it’s always a satisfaction.
“I always say that the more we have choice, the better it is for a coach. So of course I’m very happy that Makhaula is coming back.
“We have to be very professional as well. And seeing how long he’s been out my duty and the duty of the medical department is to be sure and to ensure him that he will come back stronger and not to take any risk in order to be back to the injury.
“So we speak with them [medics] but of course, we will try to make the right decision for him, for the club and for the team.”
With Tito who also had to withdraw from the national squad that did duty in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers this month, his injury wasn’t as bad as initially thought.
“Yes, if you can see him on the pitch it means that medical department gave him the green light to be there,” added the coach.
“So yeah I’m happy that he is coming back. It [the injury] seems not to be so serious. So all the time when my players are injured I’m very sad. So I’m happy that he is with us.”
