Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has heaped praise on Simphiwe Masilela, saying the attacking midfielder is giving him what he expected from a number 10.
Masilela scored his maiden goal for the Buccaneers on Tuesday in the 3-0 Betway Premiership victory over TS Galaxy FC at Orlando Amstel Arena. It was also the first time the 22-year-old played the full 90 minutes in professional football.
In what is his breakthrough season after promotion from the reserve side, Masilela has turned himself into a Pirates regular. He has featured in 10 games across all competitions for the Soweto giants so far this season. The 10 appearances include six starts.
HAS OUADDOU FOUND MOFOKENG’S REPLACEMENT IN MASILELA?
After converting Relebohile Mofokeng from winger to playmaker last season, Ouaddou enjoyed some creativity from the Bafana Bafana star. But Mofokeng left a huge number 10 gap after leaving Pirates for Belgium.
However, Ouaddou appears to have found Mofokeng’s replacement in Masilela, who has, however, managed just a goal and one assist in the 10 games he has played so far this term.
After Sipho Mbule also left the club, the Buccaneers coach has been searching for a number 10 as the likes of Kabelo Dlamini and Andre de Jong have been struggling for full fitness.
The Pirates coach applauds all the qualities he sees in Masilela and is quick to caution him against the pitfalls that have swallowed several footballers.
SIMPHIWE MASILELA MEETING ABDESLAM OUADDOU’S NUMBER 10 EXPECTATIONS
“What I can tell you is that he has all the attributes, he has all the potential, all the qualities to express himself at the high level,” Ouaddou told the media.
“I can tell you that I have worked for six/seven years in development in France at the Michel Platini Academy. So I have seen a lot of young players, and he is one of the best that I have seen. I have seen a lot of players. I try to put these young players on the right path in high-level football and leave certain things aside that won’t help them.
“Some people are fighting the coach, but without any arrogance, with a lot of humility, I think we know what we are talking about and where we want to bring our players.
“If you see this player starting to understand what the coach expects from him, he starts these kinds of actions, actually, like against Marumo [Gallants] in Rustenburg. After that, we saw him in the [MTN8] final, and now we still see what he is able to do.
“This is exactly what I’m expecting from a 10, a modern 10, and it’s up to him if he wants to continue on that path, he just has to continue like that. He knows what the requirements are. If he wants to lose himself, he knows the other path.”
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