Ouaddou confident Luthuli can make an impact for Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates coach Ouaddou believes striker Luthuli has the qualities to become an important player for the club, while hoping the 25-year-old can overcome the injury problems that have restricted his progress.

Luthuli has not played this season, but Ouaddou says his performances in training have convinced him that the striker will eventually get an opportunity in the first team.

“What I see in training, what I have seen in him is full of qualities of a modern striker. He’s able to play as a whole player, he’s able to have the ball in deep, he’s able to play in a combination, he’s able to score with the left foot and right foot. He’s able to score with his head,” Ouaddou said.

The forward spent last season on loan at Magesi, making 11 appearances in all competitions. He scored once and provided four assists during that spell.

His lack of game time this campaign has not changed Ouaddou’s view of his ability. The coach previously attracted attention when he indicated that Pirates did not need to sign another striker because the club already had the necessary resources within its squad.

“A lot of people were surprised last year when I said I don’t need a striker because I already have material in Pirates.”

Luthuli joined the Pirates academy when he was 17 and has represented the club’s DDC and Pele Pele teams. He has also gained experience away from the club, including loan spells with Pretoria Callies, who were competing in the Motsepe Foundation Championship before the club’s demise.

Ouaddou said the technical staff had been impressed by Luthuli’s return and were interested in giving him a role, but stressed that the striker’s fitness would be vital.

“This season, he came back and I think the technical staff were interested. Now I just hope that the injuries will stop because he always has some small injuries. We have to work on that to strengthen the legs, to strengthen the upper body and definitely he has good qualities to help Orlando Pirates. He’s really got a good profile,” the coach added.

The coach’s comments come as Orlando Pirates prepare to face Sekhukhune United for the third time in seven days.

The sides meet in the second leg of their MTN8 semi-final on Saturday, with Pirates holding a 1-0 advantage from the first match. A place in the final will be decided after the return fixture.

Ouaddou’s immediate focus will be on securing progress in the competition, but his assessment of Luthuli offers encouragement to a player who has already developed through the Pirates academy and several loan spells.

The striker’s previous season at Magesi showed his ability to contribute both goals and assists, while his work in training has continued to strengthen the coach’s belief that he can eventually shine for Orlando Pirates. Ensuring he remains fit will now be central to his hopes of earning regular first-team opportunities.