Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has refused to scapegoat Yanela Mbuthuma following the striker’s wastefulness in Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns, instead offering a verdict on the player’s developmental path.
The Sea Robbers suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Sundowns in a Betway Premiership clash that is deemed a title decider. Pirates had a promising start to the encounter, creating most of the scoring chances, but they proved to be wasteful in the final third.
Pirates had the biggest scoring opportunity in the opening minutes of the match with Deon Hotto firing a shot on target, and it was parried away by Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
A few minutes later, Mbuthuma received a pinpoint cross from talented winger Oswin Appollis; however, he couldn’t convert from a close range as Williams proved to be the difference early in the match.
On the other hand, Sundowns went on to use their scoring chances after Brayan Leon netted a brace to give Sundowns a 2-0 lead at halftime. Pirates pulled one back shortly after the start of the second-half through Patrick Maswanganyi.
As the Soweto giants went in search of an equalising goal, they created chances that fell for the young striker who just couldn’t apply the finishing touch on the day.
WHAT OUADDOU SAID ABOUT MBUTHUMA AFTER THE DEFEAT AGAINST SUNDOWNS
Pirates coach Ouaddou has thrown his weight behind the 23-year-old forward, stressing that the forward needs to keep working hard in training to improve.
“First of all, about Mbuthuma, when you have a young player like that, you know that he has a lot of qualities and a future in the club,” Ouaddou said on Wednesday night at FNB Stadium.
“As an educator, as a coach, we can only encourage him and push him to work hard in training. For me, the only thing that I know as an ex-professional football player is to work every day, how you deal with your lifestyle, and how you are working to improve in training.
“And it’s a circle, he scored in many games, he helped us, and he will continue to help us. A young player like that, you have to give him the confidence and the belief.”
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