Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes Boitumelo Radiopane possesses “all the qualities to be successful” after the Buccaneers striker presented his case with a goal during Tuesday’s Betway Premiership 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune United.
It was Radiopane’s first start of the season, coming against the backdrop of the striker not featuring in the Soweto giants’ last two games. But the 24-year-old repaid Ouaddou’s decision to start him with the opening goal at Orlando Amstel Arena before Oswin Appollis sealed the win with the second strike.
“The goal of Radiopane. I’m very happy for him, I hope it will give him trust and confidence because this boy definitely has what he needs and what the post of a striker asks for,” Ouaddou told the media after the match as Radiopane became the first Pirates centre-forward to score this season, six matches into the term.
“He has all the qualities to be successful. I hope it will be the beginning for him, and without forgetting [Sifiso] Luthuli as well. I hope Luthuli is going to help us.”
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Radiopane’s start came as Yanela Mbuthuma was not in the matchday squad. With Mbuthuma having been in the line-up for five games but struggling to score or provide a single assist, pressure has been mounting on him.
That saw Ouaddou turning to Radiopane on an evening he also threw into the fold centre-back Sbangani Zulu for captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, while Daniel Msendami also made his first start of the season.
“When you are playing three games in a row like that, I already spoke about this case, we have international players. We have to be careful about the load,” Ouaddou went on as Pirates now prepare to face Sekhukhune again in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-finals, the third time the two teams clash in seven days.
“It’s our job to anticipate possible injuries, so of course we rested, and Mbuthuma, I think he had a lot of game time. It was a moment to give him some rest and to see other strikers as well. It’s very important, it was the right moment to do a rotation.
“If I don’t do it at that moment, I don’t know when I will be able to do it. But like I said, it was an opportunity for some players to show, and we gave the chance to everybody.”
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