Ouaddou urges patience as Dansin makes instant impact for Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has warned against placing excessive pressure on Camren Dansin after the 21-year-old was named Man of the Match in the club’s opening Betway Premiership fixture.

Dansin played a central role as the Buccaneers began their defence of the league title with a 2-0 victory over Milford at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

The midfielder delivered a composed performance in the heart of the pitch, producing the type of all-round display that has established him as one of Orlando Pirates’ most promising young players.

However, despite the excitement surrounding Dansin’s latest performance, Ouaddou believes the youngster’s progress must be managed carefully rather than accelerated by rising expectations.

“We have to be very careful. I have been in the business for a while, but the boy is doing well,” Ouaddou said.

Dansin made 16 first-team appearances last season after progressing from the DStv Diski Challenge side. He has continued to develop under Ouaddou and also won the Betway Premiership Goal of the Season award for his spectacular effort against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Ouaddou said the club had taken a deliberate approach to introducing Dansin to senior football, despite some people questioning why he had not been involved sooner.

“We took time to bring this young talent in. You remember last season, I didn’t hesitate to put him in a very big game against Sundowns, and he scored a fantastic goal. He was with us in most games, we detected the talent, but you don’t have to burn this talent. It’s step by step. People didn’t understand why it took so much time to bring him, but we knew what we were doing,” he added.

The Orlando Pirates manager said Dansin still had considerable work ahead of him before he could reach the highest level, even though his start to the campaign had been impressive.

“The boy still needs a lot of work to get to the highest level but at the moment he is doing very well.

“Dansin must remain humble and not listen to what people say outside the environment because he can quickly lose himself, and we’re here to help him.

“He must just put in the work, focus on his career, be serious and humble, and I think things will go well.”

Ouaddou also called on the club’s coaches, officials and the media to help protect Dansin as he continues to establish himself in the first team.

“All the coaches, the club and you as media must protect this talent,” he said.

Orlando Pirates will have domestic and continental ambitions to manage during the season, potentially creating further opportunities for Dansin to become an important member of the squad.

For now, though, Ouaddou wants the midfielder’s development to continue steadily, with the focus kept on his work, discipline and long-term progress rather than the immediate attention generated by his latest performance.

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