Ouaddou backs ‘future of Pirates’ Mbuthuma after MTN8 final victory

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has backed striker Yanela Mbuthuma to become a key player for the club after he provided two assists in the holders’ 3-0 win over Sekhukhune United in the MTN8.

The result secured a 4-0 aggregate victory over Babina Noko and sent Orlando Pirates into the final for a fifth consecutive season. The defending champions are now in contention for an unprecedented fifth successive MTN8 title.

Mbuthuma’s performance earned particular praise from Ouaddou, who believes the youngster can have a significant future at the club despite recently going through a difficult period.

“Look, me he didn’t make me happy now, this boy we trust him. Football sometimes you’re in a difficult period but like I said we have to give him confidence, trust him, the performance will come and today he did a great game and we have to continue to help him. I’m sure he is the future of Pirates, and we cannot kill a boy like that.

“It’s what make it so great when you feel that you’re being pushed by your own fans, they give you energy, power so all the time what I said, sometimes you have to be patient with the players and when they feel this love, support you’ll see what they can give you.

“So, I think it can be really a lesson if we can have the support from our fans, I hope it will bring him something,” Ouaddou said.

The match also gave Orlando Pirates the opportunity to introduce Mpho Padime, a youngster who has come through the club’s development system. He was brought on for his debut in front of a packed venue, with the intention of allowing him to play without pressure.

Ouaddou said the comfortable scoreline enabled him to give Padime the freedom to express himself, even though the manager admitted that such an approach would not be acceptable in a more evenly balanced match.

“Look, I will be honest with you, I’m somebody who want efficiency, I want goals, clean-sheets, but at the same time like I said to the boy when he just come there went on I said, ‘my boy it’s 2-0, enjoy your football, I’ve nothing jus t enjoy your football’ sometimes you have to give this freedom to these boys,” Ouaddou said.

“Even, I will be honest with you, climbing on the ball, stuff like that, when it’s 0-0 or draw I don’t like that, when we’re three or four goals, I’ve to integrate myself in the culture of the country sometimes to let them the freedom.

Orlando Pirates will now await the outcome of the other semi-final between Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows, which is scheduled for tomorrow. The winner will meet the holders in the MTN8 final.

The victory over Sekhukhune United means Orlando Pirates’ new arrivals and younger players have helped maintain the club’s remarkable run in the competition, while the team remains on course to claim a fifth straight MTN8 final appearance and an historic fifth consecutive trophy.