Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha has lifted the lid on an unusual but inspiring perspective from coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Following the MTN8 final win over Stellenbosch FC, the 24-year-old shared how Ouaddou views his bench not as ‘substitutes’, but as ‘impact players’.
It couldn’t have been better demonstrated than in the final itself. Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi came off the bench and turned the tide, powering Bucs to a record fourth consecutive MTN8 title.
THALENTE MBATHA ON ORLANDO PIRATES COACH ABDESLAM OUADDOU
“Normally, our coach doesn’t call them substitutes but impact players,’ Mbatha told the media. “So, for us, it is something the coach instils, that you are not substitutes but impact players. If I put you in, I want you to influence the game,” the Orlando Pirates midfield maestro added.
To date, French-Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has overseen nine matches in charge of Orlando Pirates, winning six, losing two, and drawing one. His side has scored 17 goals while conceding only six.
CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE KICK OFF AGAINST LIOLI
Next up for the Buccaneers is the CAF Champions League. Their campaign begins this weekend in the preliminary round against Lioli, the reigning champions of the Lesotho Premier League.
With no CAF-approved stadium back home, Lioli will play hosts in Bloemfontein. The clash is set for Saturday at 15:00 at the Toyota Stadium, before the return leg under the Soweto lights next weekend.