Vilakazi Challenges Pirates' Coach on Squad Depth

Orlando Pirates great Benedict Vilakazi has thrown down a clear challenge to head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou: rethink your squad strategy, or risk burning out in a season loaded with trophies and travel.

Pirates are chasing on all fronts. They’re in the MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns. They’re juggling the Betway Premiership. They’re stepping into the CAF Champions League. The Carling Knockout and Nedbank Cup still lie ahead.

And already, the bodies are starting to break.

“Look at the injuries”

Vilakazi, never shy of a firm opinion, believes the evidence is right in front of Ouaddou.

“It’s very wise to have a bigger squad,” he told FARPost. “Look at the injuries that they are having right now.”

He pointed straight to the casualty list.

“I think [Makhehlene] Makhaula got injured; now we have [Thalente] Mbatha, who has a knee injury. We also have [Sihle] Nduli, who got hurt badly.”

For Vilakazi, those names aren’t just unfortunate knocks. They’re a warning sign that Pirates are heading into a brutal calendar without enough cover.

Clash of philosophies

Ouaddou has been clear about what he wants: a tight, controlled group. The Pirates coach prefers a specific number — 30 outfield players and four goalkeepers — insisting that anything beyond that starts to damage cohesion and stunt individual development.

Vilakazi sees it differently, especially in a season like this.

“So, it’s going to be important to have a bigger squad, especially when you look at the trophies that are on the table for the team,” he argued.

He rattled them off: the Betway Premiership, the MTN8 final already booked, the looming Carling Knockout, the Nedbank Cup, and the CAF Champions League.

“So, it’s very important to have a bigger squad so that you can rest other players. Maybe others will play in the Champions League, and others will play cup games,” he said.

The message is blunt: rotation isn’t a luxury for Pirates this season. It’s survival.

The hidden toll: travel and fatigue

Vilakazi’s concern isn’t just about minutes on the pitch. It’s about hours in the air and on the road — the unseen grind of African football.

“It’s important to have a bigger squad so that your players don’t get fatigued,” he stressed.

“Remember that we don’t look at playing. Also, travelling plays a part in fatigue. That is one thing a lot of people don’t think of. Travelling can also cause fatigue.”

Long trips into the continent, awkward connections, late returns to Johannesburg — all of it eats into recovery time. By the time Pirates land back from a CAF assignment, the Betway Premiership or a domestic cup fixture is already waiting.

That’s where Vilakazi believes depth becomes decisive. Fresh legs, ready to step in immediately after a continental slog, could be the difference between a serious trophy push and a team limping through the season.

Pressure rising in Mayfair

The timing of this debate is no accident. The Betway Premiership title race is tightening. A high-stakes MTN8 final against Sundowns is on the horizon. Every game now carries weight, every selection a risk.

Ouaddou wants a manageable dressing room. Vilakazi wants a bigger pool.

“So that’s where you need a [big] pool of players,” the former Pirates star concluded, “so that those who went to CAF come two days before the other game, and at least you can add one or two to the team that is there and carry on with the team.”

The fixtures won’t slow down. The travel won’t ease up. The injuries have already started.

The real question for Pirates now: will Ouaddou bend his philosophy before the schedule breaks his squad?