Orlando Pirates boss Ouaddou tips Simphiwe Masilela as a modern number 10

 

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has described Simphiwe Masilela as one of the best young players he has encountered during his time working in French football development.

Masilela scored his maiden goal for Pirates in their comprehensive 3-0 win over TS Galaxy at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Tuesday evening, further strengthening his reputation as one of the club’s breakthrough performers this season.

The midfielder has impressed with his displays in the centre of the pitch, and Ouaddou believes he has the attributes and potential to operate at the highest level.

“What I can tell you is that he has all the attributes, he has all the potential, all the qualities to express himself at the high level,” Ouaddou said.

“I can tell you that I have worked for six, seven years in the development in France, in Michel Platini’s academy. So I have seen a lot of young players, and he was one of the best that I have seen.”

Ouaddou was also asked about criticism of his handling of young players. The Pirates manager defended his methods, saying his experience has taught him what is required to help emerging footballers progress.

“That’s why sometimes when I try to, with a little bit more experience than him, I am older than him, I have seen a lot of players,” he said.

“When I try to put these young players in the right path, in the requirement of the high-level football, and to leave certain things that are not going to help them on the side.”

The coach added: “Some people are fighting the coach, but without any arrogance, with a lot of humility, I think we know what we are talking about and where we want to bring our players.”

Ouaddou pointed to Masilela’s development since his early days at Marumo Gallants, saying the player gradually began to understand what was expected of him and started producing the actions required of him.

“If you see this player from when he started in Marumo [Gallants], when he started to understand what the coach was expecting from him, he started actually doing these kinds of actions against Marumo in Rustenburg, and after we saw him in the final, and now we are still seeing what he is able to do.”

Ouaddou believes Masilela’s qualities fit the demands of a modern attacking midfielder, but said the next stage of his career will depend on the player maintaining his current approach.

“This is exactly what I am expecting from a 10, a modern 10, and it’s up to him,” he said.

“If he wants to continue in that path, he just has to continue like that. He knows what the requirements are, and if he wants to lose himself, he knows the other path.”