Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why the Soweto giants closed their search for a striker for the upcoming January transfer window.
Pirates are heading to a short mid-season break after concluding a successful first round of the 2025/26 season. The Buccaneers ended 2025 on a high after lifting the Carling Cup trophy with a 2-0 victory over All Stars at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Pirates netted two second-half goals courtesy of Sifiso Luthuli and Boitumelo Radiopane to beat the Carling All Stars, a team voted for by the fans.
Ouaddou’s charges faced All Stars after clinching the Carling Knockout Cup with a 1-0 win against Marumo Gallants in the final at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium last weekend.
Before winning the CKO, Pirates won the MTN8 title in September, a trophy they have won for four seasons in a row. Meanwhile, the Bucs ended the first half of the campaign sitting at the summit of the league table. They have collected 28 points after winning nine league games, drawing one, and suffering two defeats in 12 matches played.
OUADDOU TIPS SFISO LUTHULI TO SURPRISE MANY PEOPLE
Last week, Abdeslam Ouaddou revealed that Pirates are searching for a new striker in the next transfer window. However, the Moroccan mentor has now changed his mind, stating that they have found their man in Luthuli.
The 25-year-old forward scored his first goal for Pirates against All Stars with a clinical finish after receiving a perfect pass from Deon Hotto. Luthuli is part of the Pirates 2025/26 first team squad, having made his name in the club’s development structures.
“About Luthuli, sometimes you don’t need two weeks or a month to see a good player. Unfortunately, he was injured for a long time,” Ouaddou said.
“He’s definitely a player who can surprise many people in the second round of the season, and I was with Mr Robert Marawa on his show, he was asking me what my wishes for the second part of the season are, I said maybe a striker.
“But I think I have to say that we don’t need a striker anymore, we have one at the club, and I think he [Luthuli] is our recruit, he’s a good player and we’ll deal with him.”
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