iDiski TV analyst Junior Khanye was critical of new Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, saying he shouldn’t be chopping and changing his starting XI if he wants to challenge for the league title.
Pirates conceded late against Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein on Tuesday to suffer a 2-1 defeat for their second successive loss in the league this season.
They are now third from bottom on the log after starting 2025/26 with two defeats with the coach having made an avalanche of changes to the squad that lost 1-0 to Sekhukhune in the opener, leaving out experienced campaigners like captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thalente Mbatha, Tshegofatso Mabasa while starting last season’s star Relebohile Mofokeng on the bench.
Khanye believes there was no need for the changes the coach made while adding that some of the new players shouldn’t just be walking into the team but must earn their starting berths.
“Pirates looked like a new team,” said Khanye on iDiski TV.
“I’m not too sure why they made that many changes coming to this game. They want to challenge the league. They were supposed to remain with the team that played over the weekend.
“I’d have made two subs, bring in [Deano] Van Rooyen if he is there and take out [Tshepho] Mashiloane at right wing-back and [Boitumelo] Radiopane out and bring in [Tshegofatso] Mabasa in the starting XI.
“Other than that, leave the team the way it was, there was nothing wrong with it. Leave [Sipho] Mbule to be complimented by [Sihle] Nduli and Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi, also play Relebohile Mofokeng on the left hand side.
“The likes of [Oswin] Appollis, [Kamogelo] Sebelebele and [Tshepang] Moremi must fight for positions.
“And I’m still saying Pirates hasn’t signed a wing forward because when you sign a player you have to check the club’s style of play.
“You should have checked if these three, Pirates’ style of play would suit them because you have to be an exciting player to watch as an attacking player at Pirates, be able to assist and score.”
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