allworld.mediaNews from all over the world
Orlando Pirates coach Abdelslam Wadee denies rumors of conflict with assistant Mandla Ntsikazi
Read more
IOL
iol.co.za

Orlando Pirates coach Abdelslam Wadee denies rumors of conflict with assistant Mandla Ntsikazi

The head coach of Orlando Pirates, Abdelslam Wadee, issued a statement to dispel rumors about a possible deterioration of relations with assistant coach Mandla Ntsikazi, insisting that reports of tension within the technical staff are unfounded.

These rumors raised questions ahead of the upcoming Pirates match. Wadee redirected attention to the club's official statement, which confirmed that Ntsikazi had undergone surgery and was recovering.

Instead of fueling speculation, the Moroccan coach wished his assistant a speedy recovery and stated that he could add nothing more. He noted: 'The club released a statement about this; he had an operation, so he is currently recovering. I wish him all the best; that is all I can say.'

However, Wadee reacted more decisively to the widespread coverage of the topic, accusing some media outlets of fabricating a conflict that, in his opinion, does not exist. He emphasized: 'We have read many things about this; everything in our club is fine, the atmosphere is okay, so people should not start creating any problems. There was an operation, and I wish him all the best; do not create problems. I have read many things.'

The Pirates coach also mentioned a recent affectionate moment between them, questioning why their relationship has become the subject of negative assumptions. He stated: 'Someone kisses someone on the head; you cannot start making up stories.'

Wadee's comments were aimed at stopping discussions about a rift, as the coach insists that Ntsikazi's absence is due to post-operative recovery, not disagreements within the technical team. For Pirates, the upcoming games remain the priority, and Wadee made it clear that he does not want speculation to distract from the work at the club.

Similar stories

Orlando Pirates coach Abdelslam Waddu cautiously approaches Oswin Apollo's return to the team
Read more
iol.co.za

Orlando Pirates coach Abdelslam Waddu cautiously approaches Oswin Apollo's return to the team

Although Orlando Pirates may be nearing the return of Oswin Apollo, head coach Abdelslam Waddu is unwilling to risk the winger's health while the team prepares for an important series of matches.

Apollo resumed training before the second leg of the CAF Champions League match against African Stars, which gave the coaching staff an encouraging sign of his progress. However, the key issue remains the ability to return to full intensity without discomfort.

Waddu stated that the training session allowed the club to assess the player's sprinting ability, and the footballer himself reported no pain. 'I am glad he was at training; the goal was to see what he could do, to see if he could sprint during warm-up—that's good news; he said he doesn't feel any pain,' Waddu said.

Despite this positive feedback, the coach's cautious stance has not changed. Instead of focusing solely on Apollo's return timeline, Waddu is weighing the potential costs of his return before a full recovery.

To explain his viewpoint, he used an unusual analogy, comparing his players to 'Ferraris' whose engines require meticulous maintenance. 'But you must understand that Oswin is an important player for the team; they are all Ferraris; we need to take very good care of these engines. I don't want to risk any players before these important games or burn anything out…'

The message is clear: Pirates want Apollo in the squad, but not at the expense of his long-term health. Time is crucial as the Soweto Derby and the Carlin Cup match against Milford are scheduled for next week.

These upcoming games underscore the importance of careful squad management rather than rushing players back for a single match. Apollo's return to training is a step in the right direction, but it does not guarantee he will play against African Stars. Pirates must decide whether the winger is ready to contribute, or if patience would be wiser. For Waddu, the goal is for his key players to be healthy for the upcoming challenges, not just available for the next start.

Popular