Ouaddou vows to protect Mbuthuma’s talent

Mbuthuma has come under fire from the Pirates fanbase, as he has struggled to find the back of the net, scoring only one goal in his last 17 matches in all competitions. 

This season has seen the former Richards Bay striker being heavily criticised by the fans for not being clinical in the final third, but Ouaddou says at Pirates they have chosen to defend the player, because there’s a lot he can offer...

"He is a Pirates player, and we have a project and a vision. We know that sometimes footballers go through difficult moments and we have to be like older brothers and fathers to them.

"He is a young South African talent, and I can never kill a talent. I still believe in Mbuthuma."

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The argument from the technical team has always been that Mbuthuma offers a lot as a striker to the team, more than just the goals. This is something Ouaddou was emphasizing in the press conference today when asked about Mbuthuma.

Ouaddou went on to say that as a team, they will continue to protect the player and he then revealed why he will continue to be on his side, even at a time when he’s facing a barrage of messages on social media platforms...

"At the end of the season we always look for data and the amount of goals. We are walking as a collective and the technical staff have made the choice to give Mbuthuma a chance. I told him before that he is doing well during most of the game, but now I'm expecting the goals."

Looking ahead to their MTN8 semifinal first-leg clash against Sekhukhune United at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, Ouaddou says they will need a smart approach, with the two teams meeting three times in the space of only seven days.