Former Orlando Pirates Star Sifiso Myeni Urges Abdeslam Ouaddou to Give Sebastian Pedersen More Opportunities

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Sifiso Myeni has called on head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and his technical team to give Sebastian Pedersen more opportunities to prove himself at the Buccaneers. The Norwegian striker joined Orlando Pirates from Sogndal at the start of the season, signing a two-year contract with an option to extend his stay for another year. However, Pedersen has struggled to secure regular involvement in matchday squads, raising questions among supporters about his role in the team. Myeni believes it is too early to judge the striker when he has not received the same opportunities as some of his fellow forwards. The former Pirates star has therefore appealed to the club to give Pedersen a fair chance to demonstrate his qualities on the pitch.

Pedersen arrived at Orlando Pirates with the opportunity to strengthen the club’s attacking options and compete for a place in a squad with ambitions of winning major trophies. His move from Norwegian outfit Sogndal marked a new chapter in his career as he adapted to South African football and the demands of playing for one of the country’s biggest clubs. However, adjusting to a new league can take time, particularly for a striker who must learn his teammates’ movements and adapt to the team’s attacking approach. Limited playing opportunities can make that process even more difficult because forwards often need regular minutes to develop confidence and establish a rhythm. With competition for places at Pirates remaining strong, Pedersen faces the challenge of convincing Ouaddou that he deserves a more prominent role.

Myeni believes the club should allow supporters to see more of Pedersen before drawing conclusions about his ability. Speaking on Omni Audio Africa, the former Orlando Pirates star argued that the striker has not received a fair opportunity compared with other attacking players. “Orlando Pirates are not fair to Pedersen. Give the man a chance, guys. The way you’ve been giving the strikers a chance,” Myeni said. He pointed to Evidence Makgopa, Boitumelo Radiopane and Yanela Mbuthuma as examples of forwards who have been given opportunities to feature for the Buccaneers. According to Myeni, Pedersen deserves a similar chance to show what he can contribute before supporters decide whether he has the quality to succeed at the club.

The debate surrounding Pedersen highlights the difficult balance between giving new signings opportunities and maintaining competition within a team that expects to challenge for silverware. Orlando Pirates cannot afford to overlook results while trying to integrate new players, especially when the coaching staff must select a team capable of competing across different competitions. At the same time, players need meaningful opportunities to demonstrate their abilities in competitive matches rather than being judged primarily on their limited appearances. Myeni’s argument is that Pedersen should be assessed on the basis of what he can produce when given sufficient playing time. Without that opportunity, it becomes difficult for supporters to make an informed assessment of the striker’s strengths and weaknesses.

Myeni also questioned the difference between Pedersen’s involvement and the opportunities given to other Pirates forwards. He suggested that some of the other strikers had accumulated five, six, seven or eight games, while Pedersen had played far fewer matches. “Some have had five, six, seven, eight games. All of them have had a lot of games, but Pedersen’s games are very few,” he explained. His comments reflect a concern that the Norwegian has not been given enough time to establish himself or demonstrate whether he can compete effectively for a regular position. For a striker, match experience can be particularly important because confidence, timing and understanding with teammates often improve through repeated appearances. Myeni wants the technical team to give Pedersen enough opportunities for his performances to provide a clearer picture of his potential.

The presence of Makgopa, Radiopane and Mbuthuma gives Ouaddou several attacking options to consider when selecting his team. Each player must compete for opportunities while meeting the tactical and physical demands of the coach’s system. A striker’s contribution is not measured only by goals, as pressing, movement off the ball, link-up play and the ability to create space for teammates can also influence selection decisions. Pedersen will need to demonstrate that he can contribute in these areas if he receives more playing time. However, the coaching staff must also consider training performances, tactical suitability and the needs of each match when deciding which forward should start or come off the bench. Myeni’s appeal does not remove those responsibilities, but it raises the question of whether Pedersen has received enough opportunities to be properly evaluated.

For Orlando Pirates supporters, the uncertainty surrounding Pedersen’s role has created understandable curiosity about what the striker might offer. Signing a player from overseas naturally raises expectations, particularly when fans hope the new arrival will improve the team’s attacking threat. When appearances remain limited, supporters have fewer chances to assess a player’s finishing ability, movement and understanding of the team’s style. Myeni believes fans should be allowed to see Pedersen in action before reaching a firm conclusion about his suitability for the Buccaneers. “We know that you guys want to win, but us as fans, we would like to see more of Pedersen,” he said. His comments underline the desire among some supporters to see the club make full use of its squad and give new arrivals a genuine opportunity to contribute.

Pedersen’s two-year contract, which includes an option for a further year, provides a potential period for him to establish himself at Orlando Pirates. However, a contract alone does not guarantee regular selection, and the striker will still need to earn the confidence of the coaching staff. His immediate challenge is to make the most of any opportunities that come his way, whether as a starter or a substitute. Training consistently, learning the team’s attacking patterns and building relationships with fellow forwards could help him improve his chances of selection. If he receives an extended run of matches, his performances may offer a more reliable indication of how well he can adapt to South African football. Until then, questions about his role will remain difficult to answer conclusively.

Ouaddou and his technical team must ultimately decide how best to manage their attacking options while keeping Orlando Pirates competitive. Giving Pedersen more minutes could help the club determine whether he can become an important part of its plans, but the coach will also have to weigh his performances against those of the other forwards. Myeni’s comments serve as a reminder that recruitment and player development must go hand in hand, particularly when a new signing arrives from a different football environment. Supporters want to see evidence that the club’s players have a genuine chance to contribute, while the coaching staff must maintain standards and select the team they believe gives Pirates the best chance of winning. A carefully managed opportunity could help answer the questions surrounding Pedersen without placing unnecessary pressure on the striker.

Myeni’s plea is ultimately a call for patience and fairness as Sebastian Pedersen attempts to establish himself at Orlando Pirates. The former Buccaneers star believes the Norwegian deserves more opportunities before supporters judge his quality, especially when other forwards have received greater involvement. Whether Pedersen can turn additional minutes into consistent performances remains to be seen, and there is no guarantee that more game time will lead to an automatic starting position. However, giving him a meaningful opportunity would allow the club and its supporters to make a better-informed assessment of his contribution. For now, the focus remains on Ouaddou’s selection decisions and whether the Pirates coach will give the striker a longer run in the team. If Pedersen gets that chance, his performances will determine whether he can establish himself as a valuable attacking option for the Buccaneers.