Lekoelea warns Ouaddou against benching Appollis again
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Orlando Pirates legend Steve Lekoelea has urged coach Abdeslam Ouaddou to play his best XI against African Stars in the CAF Champions League. Photo: Gallo Images
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Lekoelea warns Ouaddou against benching Appollis again
Oct 23, 2026 – 02:44 pm
By Sipho Mlotha
Orlando Pirates legend Steve Lekoelea has warned Abdeslam Ouaddou against trying new tactics in the all-important CAF Champions League encounter against Namibia’s African Stars, with Bucs holding a slight advantage.
The Soweto giants are intent on making it to the group stage having failed to do so last term, falling the second preliminary round against FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo of DR Congo, and have one foot in the door having won 1-0 in the first leg of the same stage in Gaborone last weekend.
READ | Ouaddou can’t rush one of his ‘Ferraris’ ahead of CAFCL clash
Orlando Amstel Arena will be the battleground on Friday, with the visitors known to be a highly physical, organised and robust side — though they will be cautious in their efforts to overturn the deficit, knowing that pushing too hard for an equaliser could leave them exposed at the back.
Lekoelea, a match winner in his heyday, urged the Buccaneers to adopt an attacking mindset while protecting their advantage, insisting that the away goals rule means Pirates cannot afford to sit back and defend their slim lead.
“These boys they must win. They must attack more since there is goal advantage rule involved in all this. I hope Ouaddou doesn’t do the same mistake he did against Mamelodi Sundowns and put Oswin Appollis on the bench.”
“He must put our best XI so that the team wins. If we fail to win, the blame will be on the coaches. We expect Pirates to win since they are at home,” Lekoelea urged.
The former Pirates winger’s warning carries significant weight, given that Ouaddou’s decision to start Appollis on the bench in the MTN8 final against Sundowns drew widespread criticism — with many believing the absence of the PSL Midfielder of the Season stifled Pirates’ creativity in a 2-0 defeat that cost them the trophy.
READ | African Stars refuse to be dazzled by Pirates’ star power
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