Orlando Pirates boss Ouaddou praises ‘special quality’ fuelling Moremi’s form

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says Tshepang Moremi is beginning to make the most of his natural ability, with the winger in outstanding form for the club this season.

Moremi has scored six goals and provided two assists in his past five appearances across all competitions. The 26-year-old has contributed eight goals and two assists in 14 matches overall, establishing himself as one of the Buccaneers’ most influential attacking players.

His performances have also strengthened his place in the Bafana Bafana picture under head coach Pitso Mosimane.

Moremi was initially omitted from South Africa’s final squad for the September/October FIFA international window, but was later called up. He played 45 minutes in the friendly against Egypt after being an unused substitute in the AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea.

The winger will now hope to take his club form into the national team as South Africa prepare for back-to-back 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Kenya in November.

Ouaddou believes Moremi’s progress has come from being encouraged to play to his strengths, rather than being asked to adopt a role that does not suit him.

The Moroccan coach has urged him to use his pace from his natural position and be more effective with it.

“Sometimes, even though I want to have inverted players, the quality of the players is sometimes to be simple and to be a winger. He is not a number 10, and I cannot convert him into a 10,” Ouaddou told journalists.

He described Moremi’s speed as a rare gift that must be used with greater purpose.

“I always say to Moremi that you have a special quality that you are gifted with. God gave you a special quality, and this is speed.

“I told him: ‘You know, if I were a player, I would want to have your speed. Maybe I could walk until the end of the world. I cannot have your speed. I will walk a little bit, but you have to use this speed efficiently. When you understand that you have to use your quality, you will be efficient’,” he added.

Ouaddou has also told Moremi that he should not try to replicate the style of Orlando Pirates team-mates Relebohile Mofokeng or Oswin Appollis.

“If he wants to be Mofokeng, he can’t be Mofokeng. He has to stay Moremi, and Mofokeng cannot be Moremi,” he said.

The coach believes Moremi’s value is not limited to his goals, highlighting his willingness to create opportunities for others and contribute to the team.

“He’s able to score, he’s able to feed his teammates, he’s not selfish, so he’s going to go far like that.”