Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has delivered a verdict on Yanela Mbuthuma after the striker netted a brace in the CAF Champions League against Lioli FC at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Mbuthuma opened his scoring account in Pirates colours, scoring two second-half goals against Lesotho champions Lioli FC in the second leg of the first preliminary round in the Champions League. Mbuthuma had a slow start to life with the Soweto giants after arriving at the club in the off-season from Richards Bay FC.
Pirates beat rival Kaizer Chiefs to secure the signature of Mbuthuma, who finished the previous season as a top-goal scorer at Richards Bay. He scored six goals and provided one assist in 27 appearances across all competitions, which also earned him a Bafana Bafana call-up a few months ago.
In his early days at Pirates, Mbuthuma has been in and out of the starting line-up, facing competition from Tshegofatso Mabasa, Evidence Makgopa, and Boitumelo Radiopane in the striker’s department.
OUADDOU HEAPS PRAISE ON YANELA MBUTHUMA
After scoring in Pirates’ 4-0 win over Lesotho-based side Lioli FC in the Champions League, Ouaddou praised Mbuthuma’s qualities. However, the Moroccan mentor admitted that the KZN-born talisman still needs to work on his confidence.
“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,” Ouaddou said.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Mbuthuma will be looking to get onto the scoresheet when Pirates lock horns with TS Galaxy in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday night at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
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