Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says the break for international fixtures, which started on Monday, has come at an optimal time for his team, even if many of the players will be away on international duty.
“We've been playing every three days for two months now. I’ve always said that in the periodisation, you need to have at least a regeneration break,” said Ouaddou.
“It's very important because you cannot push, push, and push the players until you break them.
“We ask them a lot in terms of physical effort, in terms of concentration, because they have many rules to follow, the game plan, and different opposition to play. They have to adapt to the trainings. You can understand that it is very, very difficult for a player.
"So, this FIFA break comes at the right time to have some psychological regeneration, some physical regeneration for the players, to rest, and after, to come back even stronger.”
Ouaddou did not think it would break the club’s momentum after their bright start to the season, which has seen them win 10 and draw the other two of 12 games played in the Betway Premiership, MTN8, and the first round of the African Champions League.
“I don't think that we break our momentum. This FIFA break comes at the right time to give some rest to the players. It's necessary,” he said.
Pirates, however, have several players on international duty, including seven with Bafana Bafana and Deon Hotto at Namibia and Gamphani Lungu earning a long-awaited call-up back to the Zambia squad.
“I was an (Morocco) international for 14 years, playing for African cups. So when it's time to wear the international uniform, to represent the country, and I don't have anything against that,” added Ouaddou.
“We just have to release them to give the best for South African football and to respect the SAFA, to respect the competition. Of course, that these players will not have rest, but that’s the job when you are an international; we cannot choose.”
“It's time to go to compete for your country. It's time to go to represent your nation. It's time to go to represent your people, and you have to be proud, and even when you are tired, you won’t feel this tiredness, because you are going to represent your people. It's like when you are a soldier,” the Pirates coach said.