Ramagalela praises Ouaddou for standing by Mbuthuma at Orlando Pirates

Former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Rodney Ramagalela has praised Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou for continuing to support Yanela Mbuthuma during a difficult spell in front of goal.

Mbuthuma, 24, went through a period without scoring or providing assists, leading to frustration among Orlando Pirates supporters. Some of the club’s fans questioned why the forward remained in the team while his contribution was limited.

His form has since improved across three competitions. Mbuthuma has scored and created goals in the Betway Premiership, the MTN8 and the CAF Champions League.

Those performances earned him a place in Pitso Mosimane’s squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, as well as the international friendly against Egypt.

Mbuthuma also played a part in Bafana Bafana’s 2-1 victory over the National Elephants at the weekend, providing the assist for the winning goal.

Ramagalela said Ouaddou and the rest of the Orlando Pirates squad deserved credit for maintaining their belief in the striker when he was under pressure.

“I respect Coach Ouaddou for giving him that support, and the rest of the Orlando Pirates players,” Ramagalela told iDiski Times journalist Lethabo Kganyago in edition 274.

“Even though the supporters were really hard on him when he was not scoring goals, for me, I saw something that many don’t see. He was really working hard, and that’s why Orlando Pirates were scoring and winning games while he was playing.”

Ramagalela believes Mbuthuma’s recent goals and assists can provide the confidence required to build consistency. He was particularly pleased to see the forward contribute in the second leg of the semi-final before scoring in a league match.

“I was so happy when I saw him giving the assist in the second leg of the semi-final, and him scoring in the league game, that boosts his confidence. I think it’s something that he needed as a player,” he said.

The former striker added that Mbuthuma must now use that confidence to continue producing for Orlando Pirates. Ramagalela also highlighted the qualities of Boitumelo Radiopane, who he believes has the instincts required to play as a number nine.

“And now it’s time for him to build from that and make sure that he keeps on getting goals for Orlando Pirates. [Boitumelo] Radiopane is one boy that knows how to play as number nine. He knows where the goals are. I would want to see him scoring more goals than the previous campaign.”