Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou admitted that managing more than 35 players is difficult and prefers a squad of 30 outfield players plus four goalkeepers, even though the club have registered 41 players for the 2026/27 season.
The Moroccan-Frenchman explained that 30 players (or up to 35) is manageable when competing in the PSL, CAF Champions League, MTN8, Carling Knockout Cup and Nedbank Cup, as it allows for suspensions and injuries without losing efficiency.
Ouaddou stressed that handling such numbers also requires a full staff and proper facilities, including at least two training pitches as Pirates look to retain their Betway Premiership crown..
“Look, if we play all the competitions, the PSL, the [CAF] Champions League, MTN8, Carling Knockout Cup and the Nedbank Cup, 30 players are okay,” Ouaddou said.
“For me, 30 players, and you add four goalkeepers; it’s 34. We can have some suspensions and injured players, so if we play all these competitions, I can manage 30 players and more than that, maybe 35; it starts to be difficult because you cannot be efficient with your work.
“One point that is very important is, when you have 30 players to manage, of course, you need the staff, and we have the staff to manage these numbers, but you need facilities as well. When I say facilities, I mean having at least two [training] pitches.”
