Ouaddou excited by Luthuli’s profile, backs the striker to shine at Pirates

Luthuli spent last season on loan at Magesi, where he scored a goal and contributed four assists in 11 appearances in all competitions. 

The 25-year-old is yet to test some game time this season, but according to Ouaddou, it’s just a matter of time before he gets his chance, since he’s impressed at training.

"What I see in training, what I have seen in him is full of qualities of a modern striker. He's able to play as a whole player, he's able to have the ball in deep, he's able to play in a combination, he's able to score with the left foot and right foot. He's able to score with his head,” Ouaddou said. 

“A lot of people were surprised last year when I said I don't need a striker because I already have material in Pirates."

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Luthuli, who joined the Pirates academy at the age of 17 and has featured in the DDC and Pele Pele teams (ABC Motsepe League), has also had loan spells at the now-defunct Pretoria Callies, who were campaigning in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. 

Ouaddou is hoping that the lanky striker can overcome some injuries this season.

"This season, he came back and I think the technical staff were interested. Now I just hope that the injuries will stop because he always has some small injuries. We have to work on that to strengthen the legs, to strengthen the upper body and definitely he has good qualities to help Orlando Pirates. He's really got a good profile," the coach added.

Meanwhile, Pirates meet Sekhukhune United for the third time in a space of seven days today in the MTN8 2nd leg of the semifinal, leading 1-0 on aggregate.