Abdeslam Ouaddou has pinpointed what Sifiso Luthuli needs to do to force his way into the Orlando Pirates starting line-up, revealing the key factor holding back the Buccaneers’ fringe striker from making his season breakthrough.
The 25-year-old is yet to play a single game this season despite Ouaddou at some point sounding the alarm about a crisis upfront. The Moroccan has invested more trust in Yanela Mbuthuma while Boitumelo Radiopane and new signing Sebastian Pedersen have also been used.
With Evidence Makgopa out injured, Luthuli has also struggled for game time, although he has been training with the first team. The lanky centre-forward has been fighting to become a regular in Ouaddou’s side after returning from a loan stint at Magesi FC, where he spent the second half of last season.
WORK TO BE DONE: OUADDOU ON LUTHULI’S PIRATES PROGRESS
Ouaddou has waxed lyrical about Luthuli’s qualities but says the striker needs to work on his fitness to command a regular spot in the Buccaneers squad.
“What I see in training, what I have seen in him, he is full of qualities of a modern striker. He is tall, able to play as a wall player; he is able to play and ask for the ball in deep,” Ouaddou told the media.
“He is able to play in combination, and he is able to score with the left foot, right foot, and he is also able to score with his head. I think you were not surprised in January when I said I don’t need a striker because I already have the material at Pirates.
“So, this season he came back, and I think the technical staff trust him. Now, I just hope the injuries stop because he always has some small injuries.
“We have to work on that to strengthen his legs and the upper body. But definitely he has good qualities to help Pirates, and I hope to see him soon [playing], but he is really a good profile.”
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