Orlando Pirates are grappling with a severe shortage of options at right-back. Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has acknowledged that the club’s current positional crisis is largely self-inflicted following several transfer departures over recent seasons, as reported by soccerladuma.co.za.
A Position Left Bare
The Buccaneers currently have only Kamogelo Sebelebele as a recognized, natural right-back in the squad.
This narrow depth comes after a series of player exits:
- Bandile Shandu joined Durban City Football Club.
- Thabiso Lebitso left to join Stellenbosch FC.
- Deano Van Rooyen departed via mutual agreement before signing with Mamelodi Sundowns FC.
Furthermore, former target Thabang Matuludi also moved to Masandawana, while Tshepo Mashiloane remains out on loan at Sekhukhune United FC. These combined moves have stripped the squad of essential cover in wide defense.
Ouaddou Admits Severity of the Situation
Speaking after a 3-1 CAF Champions League victory over La Cure Waves, Ouaddou addressed the structural imbalance directly. He noted that relying solely on Sebelebele across a grueling 60-game campaign is unfeasible.
The head coach emphasized that while central defenders or players like Gamphani Lungu can offer temporary cover in emergency situations, crucial fixtures require specialized full-backs who naturally suit an attacking build-up style.
A Four-Year Structural Issue
This positional struggle is not entirely new. Former manager Jose Riveiro previously highlighted right-back rotation as a persistent challenge, often relying on makeshift options like Paseka Mako or former signing Lebitso to fill the void.
With those stopgap measures no longer available, the lack of long-term succession planning has caught up with the Soweto giants. Managing squad depth across domestic fixtures and continental football will remain a vital test for the technical team.
Bettors looking for updated form guides and match coverage can explore our latest predictions to stay ahead of upcoming fixtures.