Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is obviously hugely impressed by Yanela Mbuthuma.
On Saturday, the 23-year-old striker broke his duck with a brace against Lioli FC in the CAF Champions League.
According to his coach, Ouaddou, Mbuthuma is one of the best emerging strikers from these shores.
ORLANDO PIRATES TO YANELA MBUTHUMA
Mbuthuma, who became a Buccaneer in July after 10 goals in 83 appearances for the Natal Rich Boyz, netted twice in the second half as Orlando Pirates secured a comfortable 4-0 victory at Orlando Stadium, sending them through to the last 32.
The two goals marked his first strikes for the Sea Robbers after somewhat of a rocky start at the Soweto giants. Last season, he stood out as Richards Bay’s top scorer with six goals and one assist in 27 appearances, a return that also earned him a Bafana Bafana call-up.
COACH ABDESLAM OUADDOU A BIG FAN
However, this is Orlando Pirates with Tshegofatso Mabasa, Evidence Makgopa and Boitumelo Radiopane all competing for that striker’s position. Nonetheless, his coach is clearly a massive fan.
“Mbuthuma is a young player; he’s one of the talented players in South Africa. I think the scouting department of Orlando Pirates did a good job of bringing him to the club,” said Ouaddou to the media.
“Now the dimension of the club is different, the number of players is different as well. We are trying and pushing to make him a top player, and he’s doing well. We keep on pushing him in order to be perfect, and I’m happy about his performance, but we still need to work on him in terms of confidence,” the French-Moroccan coach added.
With his confidence high, Mbuthuma is expected to feature on Tuesday at 19:30, when the Sea Robbers host the high-flying TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership at the Orlando Stadium.
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