Pirates boss Ouaddou insists struggling Mbuthuma must be given time and trust

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says he will not risk damaging Yanela Mbuthuma’s confidence by dropping the striker, despite growing criticism over his lack of goals.

Mbuthuma has divided opinion among Pirates supporters after struggling in front of goal, with some questioning why he continues to receive opportunities. However, Ouaddou believes the forward’s contribution to the team extends beyond his finishing and says the club’s decision to continue selecting him was made collectively.

If fit, Mbuthuma is expected to lead the Pirates attack in their MTN8 semifinal first leg against Sekhukhune United at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday.

“It is a question that comes every time, and there are two schools of thought about it,” Ouaddou said when asked whether a spell out of the team might help Mbuthuma regain his confidence.

“Media and fans can read the game but there is a difference between the vision from outside and what we get from the player during the week, where we see what he can do at training and during the game.

“The player is interesting for how we want to play in the league and the amount of work he does without the ball. We cannot take out all these good things he is doing that are important for our team.”

Ouaddou acknowledged that goals will ultimately be central to the assessment of any striker, but said removing Mbuthuma from the side could either help or harm him.

“At the end of the season, we are looking for statistics and data and the amount of goals. It is either you take out the boy and put him aside, and maybe he gets some confidence. On the other side, maybe you will ‘kill’ his confidence.

“We have decided and it was not only me but the team that we are working together because the decision must not come from one person. We are working as a collective and we have decided to keep and trust him to give him a chance.

“If he was not good in the game, we could have taken the decision to let him down,” Ouaddou said.

The Pirates manager said he had been direct with Mbuthuma about the need to improve his scoring record, while insisting that the striker should not be burdened by unnecessary pressure.

Ouaddou added he does not want to put pressure on Mbuthuma but he expects goals.

“I told him that in the game he is doing well but I am expecting the goals. I wanted to be clear about that because I am an honest coach. I hope that people are not going to misinterpret what I am saying because it is easy to say what I didn’t say.

“He is an Orlando Pirates player; we have a project and vision and we know that in the world of football sometimes players can have difficult moments we are here to support them.

“We are here as fathers and big brothers; we don’t have a choice to help these boys because they are South African. They are the young talent of the country and I cannot ‘kill’ a talent in my career as a coach,” he said.

Mbuthuma’s continued involvement reflects Ouaddou’s belief that his all-round work remains valuable to a Pirates side preparing for an important cup tie.

“I need to keep on believing in him. Maybe when I get sacked you will take him out, but I still believe in him.”