Abdeslam Ouaddou shares update on Sihle Nduli, Tapelo Xoki injuries

As the Buccaneers enter the final stretch of their Betway Premiership title race, they will need to have all their key players ready for battle. 

However, with Nduli and Xoki having been out of action on long-term injuries following their respective surgeries, Ouaddou gave a realistic outlook with only seven games to go in this campaign. 

"[Nduli] is doing well, he's in rehabilitation now and it's very important to stay close to these kind of players, and not only him but Tapelo as well," said Ouaddou.

"They are part of our senior players, very experienced players, and both of them are doing well – we see they are now starting to come back on the pitch, working for some of them and running for others.

"So they are on track and I cannot tell you that maybe we have a chance to see them before the end of the season, because it has been very serious injuries for both of them.

"So the most important is to make a very good rehabilitation in order to come back stronger."

READ: Ouaddou hails title race as Betway Prem heads for photo finish

With games coming thick and fast, Ouaddou also explained why some key players won’t be completing 90 minutes, as witnessed particularly with the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis in midweek, with periodisation key at this stage. 

"People sometimes don't understand the vision of the coach, the planning of the coach, especially when you play games like this in a row," he added.

"Of course, when you are winning 3-0, you have a thought for the next game, discussing straight away with my staff what the changes are that we can make to preserve the legs of the boys.

"Because to win the title, it's like a marathon so you need to be very smart how you manage your players, how you manage the fatigue, so it's what we tried to do in the second half [against Arrows]."