Abdeslam Ouaddou Addresses Tshegofatso Mabasa's Snub in Pirates Loss to Sekhukhune
- Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why Tshegofatso Mabasa was absent in Orlando Pirates' defeat against Sekhukhune United in their opening fixture in the Betway Premiership
- The South African international was the Sea Robbers' top scorer last season but has been been snubbed by the Moroccan tactician in their first two official matches this season
- The former Marumo Gallants head coach also opened up on what he told Orlando Pirates players ahead of their next league fixture against his ex-club
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has given a detailed explanation on why Tshegofatso Mabasa was absent in the Buccaneers' 1-0 defeat against Sekhukhune United in their 2025-26 Betway Premiership opener.
The Sea Robbers succumbed to an early second-half goal from Siphesihle Mkhize as Eric Tinkler's men earned a deserving three points at the Orlando Stadium this weekend. It was their second consecutive league win at the Bucs' home ground this year.
Source: Getty Images
Mabasa was Pirates' top scorer last campaign in all competitions with 13 goals and won the Golden Boot in the 2023/24 Betway Premiership season with 16 goals.
The South African striker's absence from Pirates' MTN8 win over Polokwane City didn't raise so many questions as Boitumelo Radiopane and Yanela Mbuthuma impressed in his absence, but the defeat to Sekhukhune drew some eyebrows from the club fans.
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Ouaddou explains Mabasa's absence against Sekhukhune
Ouaddou, in an interview after the match, explained why the former Moroka Swallows star was not selected against Sekhukhune.
"Mabasa is available; it was a tactical decision not to use him. But he's ready, and when we call on him, I believe he’ll perform and give his best," Ouaddou clarified after the game.
"People might question the selection, especially since our strikers didn’t score. But we have a deep squad this season, and everyone will get their opportunity at the right time."
The Moroccan tactician will lead the Sea Robbers in their next match against his former club, Marumo Gallants, in the Betway Premiership.
Source: Instagram
Gallants started the league season with a resounding 2-1 win over Richard Bays on Saturday, August 9, 2025.
Ahead of Marumo Gallants' tie, Ouaddou opened up on what he told his players as they face his former team.
"I told the boys after the game that, yes, there’s a lot of disappointment, but there’s also a chance to bounce back quickly and win the next match. The league is still long. It was a bad start, but now we need to rest, regroup, and come back stronger."
Pirates still have a chance to redeem themselves this season, but it was a poor start compared to how they won their first seven matches last campaign.
Ouaddou reacts to Appollis' performance against Polokwane
Briefly News previously reported that Ouaddou shared his thoughts on Oswin Appollis' Man of the Match performance against his former club, Polokwane City, in the MTN8 quarter-finals.
The Bafana Bafana forward joined the Sea Robbers in the summer from the Rise and Shine and showed them what they will miss for the rest of the season in his first official match for the Bucs.
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Source: Briefly News
