Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou described Deon Hotto as his “right-hand man” while explaining why the experienced Namibian stayed on the bench during their 1-0 CAF Champions League win over his former club, African Stars, in Gaborone on Saturday.

The Buccaneers secured a crucial 1-0 away win in their Champions League second preliminary round first-leg tie, thanks to a solitary goal from Tshepang Moremi.

The Soweto giants successfully navigated scorching temperatures of around 35°C in Botswana to take an advantage back home.

Hotto, who turned out for African Stars between 2012 and 2014 before moving to South Africa to join Golden Arrows, had to settle for a place among the substitutes as an unused player on the day.

WHY ABDESLAM OUADDOU BENCHED DEON HOTTO

Speaking in a post-match interview, Ouaddou emphasised that the 35-year-old Namibian international remains a cornerstone of his squad, noting the heavy fixture congestion the team faces this season.

“Look, I already said that Hotto is my right hand man in the team. He is the captain. He is an African legend, not only in South Africa. He is our boy. He is an African boy. He’s not only a Namibian boy, he is a Moroccan boy, he is a Nigerian boy, and a South African boy,” said Ouaddou.

“He belongs to Africa, this boy. You know that Hotto has played many games; he is very important for us. We have a lot, a lot of fixtures coming up. We are playing the Carling Knockout Cup, we will be playing the CAF Champions League second leg game, and we have the Soweto Derby. This season, we are going to play nearly about 60 games. You understand?”

ABDESLAM OUADDOU ON IMPORTANCE OF SQUAD ROTATION

The Pirates mentor further elaborated on his squad management, stressing the importance of squad rotation amid a demanding calendar.

“So, if you have seen the way that I’m working, the principle of rotation, with the starting eleven, with impact players, you would understand that I never, never call my players substitutes – there are no substitutes, there are only players and impact players,” he added.

“So sometimes he is part of the starting eleven. Today he was part of the impact players, and fortunately the game state didn’t give me the opportunity to bring him in. But for sure, we know we still have one game [against African Stars], and hopefully he will be able to bring his experience.”

The Sea Robbers will host African Stars in the return leg on Friday, 23 October 2026, with kick-off at 19:30 at the Orlando Amstel Arena, where Hotto will look to feature and guide his side into the group stage of the continental competition.