Ouaddou calls for patience as Mbuthuma searches for first Pirates goal

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has urged supporters to continue backing Yanele Mbuthuma, despite the striker failing to score this season, saying his contribution and work rate remain valuable to the team.

Mbuthuma has missed several clear-cut opportunities during the campaign and has faced criticism from sections of the Pirates support. However, Ouaddou believes the striker’s overall performance is being overlooked and says he should not be judged solely on his lack of goals.

The coach was speaking after Orlando Pirates responded to their midweek draw with AmaZulu by beating Chippa United 3-0 in the Betway Premiership at Kings Park Stadium on Sunday.

Gamphani Lungu, Lebone Seema and Daniel Msendami scored for the Buccaneers as they secured a convincing victory. Ouaddou said a closer tactical assessment of Mbuthuma’s performance would show that the forward is still making a positive contribution.

“Mbuthuma is in the game; if you analyse the match as a tactician, he is doing well for the team, really. Of course, now we are expecting this efficiency in the last third, but we cannot kill a fantastic player with a lot of future for Pirates,” Ouaddou told the media after the match.

“Just because he is in a moment where it is a bit difficult for him, we have to support him. I thank the fans from Durban for the flowers they sent him today [Sunday].

“You can see the boy was flying because he had these fantastic words coming from the stand. It is what it should be when we support the team.”

Ouaddou also highlighted Patrick Maswanganyi’s potential to become a key figure for Pirates following the departure of Relebohile Mofokeng.

Maswanganyi has been encouraged to play more positively and move the ball forward, with the coach believing he can connect the team’s defensive and attacking units. Ouaddou said the player now had an opportunity to occupy an important position in the side.

“Everybody who understands football [and] who knows football can see fantastic quality in Tito,” he said.

“As long as he brings the game in his favour to play forward. It’s what we have been saying to him, to bring the game forward. You see that he can help the team and he can really be the link between the defenders and strikers.

“And like you said, truly with the departure of Rele, he has a big space there to play and a very big role to play for our club.”

Ouaddou had demanded a response from his players after the draw with AmaZulu and was pleased with the intensity they showed against Chippa United. The French coach now wants Pirates to maintain that level of performance in their upcoming matches.

“I said I wanted a reaction from the players; I had it today [Sunday]. I just hope that we will be consistent in the next games.

“It’s funny how some people want to create some polemics sometimes between the coach and the players. I know my players very well and the physiology. Yes, sometimes the coach is hard, but the love is there, and when there is a father speaking, he is looking for a reaction.”

Story audio is generated using AI.

Source: Sowetan