Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou urges fans to back striker Yanele Mbuthuma

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has defended Yanele Mbuthuma after the striker endured a difficult start to the season, saying his work rate has been “phenomenal” and calling on supporters to continue backing him.

Mbuthuma has yet to score this season despite being presented with several clear opportunities, leading to criticism from sections of the Orlando Pirates support. Ouaddou, however, believes the forward’s overall contribution is being overlooked.

The coach made his comments after Orlando Pirates responded to their midweek draw with AmaZulu by beating Chippa United 3-0 in the Betway Premiership at Kings Park Stadium on Sunday.

Gamphani Lungu, Lebone Seema and Daniel Msendami scored for the Buccaneers, but Ouaddou was keen to highlight Mbuthuma’s wider influence rather than focus solely on his failure to convert his chances.

“Mbuthuma is in the game; if you analyse the match as a tactician, he is doing well for the team, really. Of course, now we are expecting this efficiency in the last third, but we cannot kill a fantastic player with a lot of future for Pirates,” Ouaddou told the media after the match.

“Just because he is in a moment where it is a bit difficult for him, we have to support him. I thank the fans from Durban for the flowers they sent him today [Sunday].

“You can see the boy was flying because he had these fantastic words coming from the stand. It is what it should be when we support the team.”

Ouaddou also believes Patrick Maswanganyi can fill the creative gap created by the departure of Relebohile Mofokeng, describing him as a player capable of playing a significant role for Orlando Pirates this season.

The coach wants Maswanganyi, known as Tito, to take responsibility by moving the ball forward and linking the team’s defensive and attacking players.

“Everybody who understands football [and] who knows football can see fantastic quality in Tito,” he said.

“As long as he brings the game in his favour to play forward. It’s what we have been saying to him, to bring the game forward. You see that he can help the team and he can really be the link between the defenders and strikers.

“And like you said, truly with the departure of Rele, he has a big space there to play and a very big role to play for our club.”

The victory over Chippa United was the response Ouaddou had demanded from his players after the draw with AmaZulu. He now wants Orlando Pirates to build on that performance and show greater consistency in their next matches.

“I said I wanted a reaction from the players; I had it today [Sunday]. I just hope that we will be consistent in the next games.

“It’s funny how some people want to create some polemics sometimes between the coach and the players. I know my players very well and the physiology. Yes, sometimes the coach is hard, but the love is there, and when there is a father speaking, he is looking for a reaction.”