Ouaddou Hoping Sebelebele Setback Is Not Serious

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou hopes an injury suffered by winger Kamogelo Sebelebele isn’t serious. Photo: Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates winger Kamogelo Sebelebele was stretched off the pitch in their game against Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday night at the FNB Stadium but coach Abdeslam Ouaddou said he hopes the injury is not a serious one.

Addressing the media following their 2-1 loss to the Brazilians, Ouaddou said that he will consult with the doctors to see the seriousness of Sebelebele’s injury as he has just returned from another injury recently. 

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“I’m not a doctor but I think and hope it is not serious,” the coach said. Speculating on what the injury could be, the Moroccan coach said it could be fatigue. 

“You know that this position is demanding in terms of activities, in terms of running, defending, so I have to check how much distance he did. But I think in the first half we let the ball to the opponent and we can say that we ran a lot,” said the coach giving his assessment.

“Maybe it came from the distances that he ran. But I hope it is not serious but I’m not sure if it is really serious,” Ouaddou said.

Speaking on Pirates’ mini-documentary series, Bucs Camp, Sebelebele said he had been ‘heartbroken’ after being injured in late 2025.

“That was my first injury. So people say you get to Orlando Pirates and you get injured, when you played for TS Galaxy, you didn’t get injuries,” Sebelebele said on the Bucs Camp.

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“They don’t understand that we play soccer and it’s a contact sport. So, injuries will always be there. 

“I’m heartbroken. I didn’t expect to get an injury anytime soon. It breaks my heart when I miss games, but as long as the team is playing well, I am happy. I’ll forever support them, even when I’m injured.”

He returned to training in January and he will hope this recent setback will not be a serious one.

Pirates have few injured players including defender Thapelo Xoki and midfielders Salaelo Rasebotja and Sihle Ntuli on their casualty list.

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