Orlando Pirates boss Abdeslam Ouaddou explains how he is managing rising stars Padime and Masilela

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says developing young players requires more than simply identifying their ability, insisting their talent must also be managed carefully.

His comments followed Pirates’ 4-0 win over African Stars in the second leg of their second preliminary-round tie in the CAF Champions League. The result secured a 5-0 aggregate victory, with youngsters Simphiwe Masilela and Mpho Padime among the standout performers.

Masilela provided an assist, while Padime scored Pirates’ third goal after coming on as a second-half substitute.

Ouaddou said he gives emerging players clear, achievable objectives during matches, while allowing them greater freedom to express themselves once the team has established a comfortable lead.

“Padime and Masilela are young players, and when you identify that kind of talent, you have to manage it and give them targets when they go into a game,” Ouaddou said.

“They are not big targets. They have two or three things to focus on. For me, as I told them, they must be efficient in everything they do, trying to move towards the opponent’s goal and play vertically.”

The coach added that he expects discipline from his youngsters while the score remains close, but believes they should be allowed to enjoy the game when Pirates are in control.

“If the score is 1-0 or 2-0, I do not accept them just releasing themselves,” he said. “But if we are four or five goals ahead, sometimes they have to release themselves because they are young and need the pleasure of touching the ball.

“They need the pleasure of being in contact with the supporters.”

Ouaddou also explained the instructions he gave Padime before the winger entered the game, particularly regarding his positioning in relation to Deon Hotto.

“I told Padime to look at Hotto’s position and not occupy the same corridor,” he said. “If Hotto is wide, I want Padime inside. If Hotto is inside, Padime has to stay wide.

“The most important thing is the connection between the player carrying the ball and the player receiving it. Sometimes he had to stay wide because the opponents were pressing on the side of the ball, and I wanted him to become the free player.”

The coach said Pirates had worked on diagonal passes in training, with Padime instructed to move forward, remain available for the ball, beat opponents and enter the penalty area quickly to cross or shoot.

“He did that,” Ouaddou said. “He could also win penalties, and I am happy because they are starting to understand.”

Ouaddou added that he deliberately places his young players under pressure during training rather than waiting for match day.

“It is my job to create situations in training where I put them under pressure,” he said. “I want to see their reaction and how they respond in that kind of environment.”