Orlando Pirates legend backs Abdeslam Ouaddou’s complaint over his Bafana players – ‘Clearly there's something he has seen’

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has not held back in his assessment of the club's international players following their return from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

The Moroccan tactician voiced his frustrations after the Buccaneers were held to a 1-1 draw by AmaZulu in the Betway Premiership, suggesting that certain members of his squad have yet to mentally transition back to the rigours of South African club football.

Ouaddou made his concerns crystal clear, stating: "My worry is when am I going to recover the international players."

"We need quickly for our international players to land on our planet. The USA is finished and we need them quickly to be part of the team spirit here."

"If we wait until December for them to get fit, it will be too late. We really need them to come to the party.”

Former Orlando Pirates striker Bruce Ramokadi has come out in full support of Ouaddou’s stance, suggesting that the coach’s frustration is likely rooted in observations made behind the scenes at the club’s training ground.

Ramokadi, who knows the pressures of playing for a giant like Pirates, believes that a manager of Ouaddou’s experience would not make such pointed remarks without significant provocation.

"Clearly, there is something that he saw, he can't just complain like that out of the blue, clearly there's something he has seen maybe from training."

"He has to address it that the players have to return, because the World Cup is over, we're playing local football now."

"Even when players move overseas [after the World Cup], they need to adapt and focus on what they have to do.

"It's all in the mind, nothing much. The coach can see it,” Ramokadi told KickOff.

The mental aspect of football is often overlooked when players return from major international tournaments, but Ramokadi believes it is the primary factor in the current friction at Mayfair.

The lure of potential European transfers and the prestige of having represented South Africa on the world stage can lead to a dangerous level of detachment.

"It does happen [that players may be detached], you see with these rumours about transfers, that you're supposed to go there and now we're from the World Cup, maybe it's in the mind, you think you're better than others just because you're from the World Cup and you deserve to play always," the former Bucs striker said.

Following the coach's public outburst, Orlando Pirates showed signs of recovery with a convincing 3-0 victory over Chippa United.

Interestingly, the goalscorers in that fixture - Ghampani Lungu, Lebone Seema, and Daniel Msendami - were not part of the Bafana Bafana World Cup contingent.

This result has strengthened Ouaddou's hand, proving that the team can succeed even when his high-profile internationals are not firing or are left out of the starting line up.

Ramokadi concluded by advising the coach to remain firm in his selection policy until the international stars show the necessary hunger.

"He just needs to give others a chance and see if the [regulars who went to the World Cup] will wake-up, maybe one or two games."

"There's too much quality at Pirates."

With the Buccaneers aiming for silverware this season, the message is clear: no player is bigger than the team, and those returning from the international stage must prove their worth all over again to ensure the club remains on its upward trajectory.