Orlando Pirates have emerged as the primary supplier of talent for the
South African national team, eclipsing rivals Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer
Chiefs in a powerful statement of their current strength. Hugo Broos’
preliminary squad for the upcoming AFCON features a remarkable 12 players
from the Soweto giants, topping Sundowns’ 10 and dwarfing Chiefs’
contribution of four.
This dominance highlights the successful transformation of the Pirates squad
under the recent stewardship of Jose Riveiro and current coach Abdeslam
Ouaddou. The list reads like a who’s who of the club’s core, including key
figures such as Evidence Makgopa, Patrick Maswanganyi, the rising star
Relebohile Mofokeng, and Thalente Mbatha.
While perennial contenders Mamelodi Sundowns remain a crucial pillar of
Bafana Bafana with 10 selections—including stars like Ronwen Williams and
Teboho Mokoena—Pirates have now firmly established themselves as the
nation’s leading talent factory. Kaizer Chiefs, by contrast, have only four
players in the preliminary squad: Mduduzi Shabalala, Thabiso Monyane,
Brandon Petersen, and Bradley Cross.
For coach Ouaddou, this achievement is a point of pride that comes with a
larger sense of duty.
“For the club, first of all, we have to be proud. To have such numbers of
players in the national team, we have to give credit to our club,” Ouaddou
stated. “I used to say we are working for the nation; of course for the
club, but we are working for the country.”
He emphasized the dual responsibility of achieving success for Pirates while
also serving the national cause. “We have the duty, of course, to have
results for the club, but to prepare them for the country. Soon they will go
to AFCON and we want to offer the most competitive players to represent the
nation.”
Concluding with a sentiment that underscores the club’s commitment, Ouaddou
said, “So we are at the disposal of the country, we are at the disposal of
the coach of the national team. We have to work like that to give good
players who can perform for the national team. But yeah, I’m very happy for
them.”
