Abdeslam Ouaddou backs Orlando Pirates returnee Kabelo Dlamini to provide creative spark

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes the return of midfielder Kabelo Dlamini can restore an important creative dimension to his side as they prepare for a decisive CAF Champions League assignment.

Dlamini has been sidelined for more than a year because of injury but was seen training with the squad before Saturday’s second-leg preliminary round match against La Cure Waves at Orlando Stadium.

His return comes at a critical stage of the season, with Pirates competing for silverware on several fronts. They must beat La Cure Waves to progress after being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw in the first leg in Mauritius.

Ouaddou praised Dlamini’s commitment during his rehabilitation and said the midfielder had continued working hard to return and contribute to the team.

“He’s been showing great effort every day to come back and work for the team,” Ouaddou said at his pre-match press conference.

“I really appreciate the spirit he shows in training. Players in the middle are always important – they bring creativity and can find passes in tight spaces that nobody else sees. He is a player who makes quick decisions.”

Pirates have fewer creative options in midfield after the departures of Relebohile Mofokeng and Patrick ‘Tito’ Maswanganyi in the recent transfer window.

That has increased the importance of Dlamini’s potential return, although Ouaddou stopped short of placing him on the same level as former France international Zinedine Zidane.

Instead, the Orlando Pirates coach pointed to similarities in the two players’ awareness of space, technical ability and capacity to make decisions before receiving the ball.

Dlamini now has an opportunity to make an immediate contribution if he is selected for the match against La Cure Waves, with Pirates needing a victory after failing to score in the first meeting.

“In that area of the pitch, you need players who make decisions before even receiving the ball,” Ouaddou added.

“I don’t want to compare him directly to Zinedine Zidane, but Zidane wasn’t exceptionally fast – he just knew his next move before the ball arrived. That intelligence is exactly what we need in the middle.”