Orlando Pirates Face Right Back Crisis After Deano Van Rooyen and Thabang Matuludi Missed Out
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has admitted that the club faces a major problem at right-back after Deano Van Rooyen joined Mamelodi Sundowns and reported target Thabang Matuludi also moved to the Tshwane giants. The situation has left the Buccaneers with limited options in a position that has become increasingly important to the way the team wants to play. Pirates released Van Rooyen by mutual consent, only for Sundowns to move quickly and sign the former Stellenbosch defender as a free agent. Matuludi was also reportedly on Pirates’ radar after impressing at Polokwane City, but Sundowns secured his signature before the Soweto club could complete a deal. With the new season bringing domestic and continental demands, Ouaddou now has to find a solution before the lack of depth becomes a serious weakness.
Van Rooyen’s departure was followed by his move to Sundowns after the Brazilians were forced to strengthen their defensive options following a long-term injury to Khuliso Mudau. The transfer represents a frustrating development for Pirates because the club effectively lost a player who could have provided depth in a position where options are now scarce. Van Rooyen had previously established himself at Stellenbosch before joining Pirates and brought experience of competing in the top flight. His decision to move to Sundowns also means Pirates must now watch a former player contribute to one of their biggest domestic rivals. The timing has made the situation even more difficult because the Buccaneers have not yet secured a direct replacement.
The club also lost Thabiso Lebitso during the transfer window as part of the changes to its squad. Lebitso was involved in the deal that saw midfielder Mthetheleli Mthiyane move from Stellenbosch, adding another departure to a position that already required attention. These exits have reduced the number of natural right-backs available to the Pirates technical team. While squads can often absorb the loss of one player through tactical adjustments, losing multiple options in the same position creates a different challenge. The situation becomes even more complicated for a club competing across several competitions where players need regular rotation to maintain fitness and performance levels.
Thabang Matuludi appeared to be one potential answer to Pirates’ problem, but that possibility disappeared when Mamelodi Sundowns announced the signing of the Bafana Bafana defender. Matuludi had become an important player at Polokwane City and had built his reputation through consistent performances at right-back. His development eventually earned him international recognition and attracted interest from some of the country’s leading clubs. Pirates were reportedly interested in bringing him to Soweto, but Sundowns moved decisively to secure his services. The failure to land Matuludi leaves Ouaddou facing a situation in which his preferred options have been reduced at precisely the time when he needs squad depth.
Kamogelo Sebelebele currently stands as the only designated right-back available to the Pirates coach. Ouaddou has made it clear that he values the player, but he does not believe it would be realistic to expect Sebelebele to carry the position throughout an entire campaign. Pirates’ schedule can involve domestic league matches, cup competitions and CAF Champions League fixtures, creating a heavy workload for the squad. A player cannot reasonably be expected to play every match without sufficient recovery time, particularly when the team has ambitions of competing on multiple fronts. Ouaddou’s comments therefore highlight a concern that goes beyond simply finding someone to start the next match.
The coach used a practical comparison to explain why relying on emergency solutions cannot become a long-term strategy. He acknowledged that the technical team can find temporary answers when circumstances demand them, but those solutions will not work consistently across an entire season. Playing a central defender at right-back, for example, may help Pirates manage one or two matches, especially when tactical circumstances allow it. However, the demands of major fixtures can expose the limitations of playing a defender outside his natural position. Ouaddou therefore wants the club to have another recognised option who can operate effectively in the role when the stakes are highest.
The situation is particularly important because the Pirates coach wants his team to play an attacking style that makes use of the wide areas. Full-backs can play a key role in that approach by providing width, supporting attacks and helping the team progress possession from defensive areas into the final third. A natural right-back can also offer the defensive positioning and recovery speed needed when possession is lost. Using a centre-back in that role could restrict some of those attacking options while also changing the balance of the team’s defensive structure. For a coach who wants his side to use the wide channels effectively, having only one recognised right-back is therefore a significant tactical concern.
Ouaddou has identified Gamphani Lungu as another possible option, but the player’s fitness situation means that he cannot immediately solve the problem. Lungu is returning from injury, which makes it difficult for the coaching staff to rely on him for a sustained run of matches. Managing a player’s return requires patience, particularly when the team has a demanding schedule and the risk of aggravating an injury remains a concern. Lungu could eventually give Pirates greater flexibility, but his availability cannot yet be treated as a complete answer. The club therefore remains in a position where recruitment could become necessary if it wants to strengthen its depth before the season progresses further.
Pirates’ recent CAF Champions League victory over La Cure Waves showed the team can still produce strong results despite the uncertainty surrounding the position. The Buccaneers secured a 3-1 victory in the second leg of their first-round qualifying tie, giving the squad momentum in continental competition. However, progressing in the Champions League will increase the pressure on the squad because more demanding opponents will test the team’s depth. Domestic fixtures will continue alongside continental commitments, leaving Ouaddou with limited opportunities to rest his regular starters. The right-back issue could therefore become increasingly important as the number of matches rises.
For Pirates, the immediate challenge is to avoid allowing a recruitment problem to become a competitive disadvantage. The club has already seen two potential solutions disappear after Van Rooyen and Matuludi joined Sundowns, meaning the transfer strategy may need to change. The coaching staff can continue exploring temporary tactical adjustments, but those measures are unlikely to provide the consistency required over a full campaign. Sebelebele will remain important, while Lungu could offer another option once he is fully fit. Until then, Pirates will have to manage the position carefully while considering whether another signing is needed.
Ouaddou’s comments provide a clear indication that the right-back position is now one of the most pressing issues facing Orlando Pirates. The coach understands that tactical flexibility can help in the short term, but he also knows that emergency solutions cannot replace specialist depth throughout a long season. Losing Van Rooyen and missing out on Matuludi has narrowed the club’s options, while injuries have further complicated the situation. Pirates will need to find a sustainable answer if they want to remain competitive in the Betway Premiership and continue their CAF Champions League campaign without placing excessive pressure on one player. How the club responds to this weakness could have a significant influence on its ability to compete consistently across all competitions.
