Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has defended striker Yanele Mbuthuma and called on supporters to recognise his contribution despite his failure to score this season.
Mbuthuma has faced criticism after missing several clear chances, but Ouaddou said the forward’s work rate and overall performances showed he remained an important player for the Buccaneers.
The coach was speaking after 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, who produced the reaction Ouaddou had demanded from his players.
“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 expressed his confidence in Patrick Maswanganyi, saying he could fill the attacking role created by the departure of Relebohile Mofokeng.
Maswanganyi, who is also known as Tito, has been encouraged to play more positively and link the team’s defence with its forwards.
“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 followed a disappointing result against AmaZulu in midweek, and Ouaddou said the players had delivered the response he wanted.
His priority now is to ensure that performance becomes the beginning of a consistent run rather than an isolated result.
“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.”
Ouaddou’s comments came as Pirates prepared to build on their convincing home victory, while also attempting to help Mbuthuma regain confidence in front of goal and establish Maswanganyi as a greater influence in the team.
Source: Sowetan
