Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has delivered some stern advice to rising stars Mpho Padime and Simphiwe Masilela, warning them against the pitfalls that have shattered the careers of some promising footballers.
The duo has emerged as arguably the most notable youngsters in the Buccaneers squad so far this season. This comes as Pirates have in recent years produced some of the finest young footballers in South Africa.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota are some of the players who rose from the Pirates reserve side and have since won contracts with overseas clubs. Ouaddou now has emerging talent in his ranks, including Cemran Dansin, Simphiwe Selepe and Christian Derbyshire.
New signings Bohlale Ngwato and Neo Rapoo are also some of the young players still warming up to the demands of professional football.
OUADDOU GUARDING MPHO PADIME AND SIMPHIWE MASILELA
Padime made his Pirates debut on Saturday with a cameo role when the Buccaneers beat Sekhukhune United 3-0 at Orlando Amstel Arena to reach the MTN8 final for a fifth successive season. Masilela, on the other hand, has made four appearances this season, including two starts.
The duo was part of Pirates’ pre-season camp in Spain, as Ouaddou has made it clear they are in his plans this term. But the Pirates coach is quick to warn the youngsters about the distractions that could derail their careers.
“Not only him [Padime], I think we can include Masilela in the talk. Well done to both of them. I think Pirates is a club that is giving chances to the young,” said Ouaddou.
“It’s not the first time [Pirates promote youngsters], and we continue the process. They did very well; we saw they have great potential.
“Now, they must keep on working; they must keep on being humble, listening, and being coachable. It’s only the first games. A career is a minimum of 10 years.
“When I have an opportunity to give them game time, I will definitely give it to them. But they must still work and be very professional because in football you can go high quickly, but you can fall quickly as well.”
The Pirates coach added: “Well done, keep working. Be careful about your life. You have to be professional. Think football, you train, you go home, you rest.
“You eat well, you drink water and not something else. Don’t smoke, don’t take things that can destroy your body. Think about your career. That’s my message all the time: work, work, work.”
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