Boitumelo Radiopane gives Abdeslam Ouaddou selection dilemma at Orlando Pirates

Boitumelo Radiopane’s impressive start to the 2026/27 campaign has created a welcome selection problem for Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.

The 24-year-old striker has scored three goals in five league appearances, establishing himself as a serious contender to lead the Buccaneers’ attack. His form has also increased the pressure on the club’s other forwards, including Yanela Mbuthuma and Evidence Makgopa.

Pirates decided to retain Radiopane for the 2026/27 campaign after a difficult previous season, in which limited opportunities produced only one goal in 15 appearances across all competitions.

Instead of allowing another loan move, the club opted to keep the DStv Diski Challenge graduate within the squad. That decision is now producing significant returns, with Radiopane making a strong case for a more prominent role in the first team.

His revival has given Ouaddou a fresh tactical issue to resolve as he weighs up his attacking options.

Mbuthuma remains Ouaddou’s first choice

Despite growing criticism of Yanela Mbuthuma’s consistency, Ouaddou has continued to back the big-money signing as Pirates’ preferred target man.

The statistics, however, currently favour Radiopane. Mbuthuma has scored twice in six appearances, while Makgopa has yet to find the net in his only match since returning from a lengthy spell out with patellar tendinitis.

Radiopane’s finishing has been particularly efficient. His three goals give him a scoring rate of 1.13 goals per 90 minutes, strengthening his claim to eventually take over as the club’s regular starting striker.

The timing adds further importance to Ouaddou’s decision-making, with the highly anticipated Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs approaching. The match will provide a major test of how the Pirates manager uses the attacking depth available to him.

The coach must balance his continued faith in Mbuthuma with Radiopane’s current production, while also considering Makgopa’s return to fitness.

More competition in the squad

Pirates’ striking options extend beyond the three forwards currently at the centre of the selection debate.

New Zealand international Andre de Jong and Norwegian striker Sebastian Pedersen remain on the fringes of the attacking hierarchy. Both are waiting for an opportunity to challenge the established order and add to Ouaddou’s list of possible combinations in the final third.

Radiopane’s goals have therefore changed the complexion of the competition at the club. After struggling for regular playing time and failing to make a consistent impact last season, he has emerged as the most productive forward in the league so far this term.

For Ouaddou, the immediate task is deciding whether that form merits a starting role, particularly with the Soweto Derby drawing closer.