Ouaddou praises Mbuthuma and the value of modern strikers

ORLANDO Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says he is encouraged by the attacking depth in his squad, singling out young striker Yanela Mbuthuma for the positive influence he has made since joining from Richards Bay FC.

- OBAKENG MELETSE

The Buccaneers have now shifted their focus to the Nedbank Cup last-32 clash against ABC Motsepe Championship side Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, which will be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow (3pm kickoff).

With the pressure that comes with leading a club of Pirates' stature, Ouaddou has also had to deal with ongoing selection debates, as both the match-day squad and starting lineup continue to draw attention.

The arrival of several new players has increased competition across the pitch, forcing players to consistently fight for places. His readiness to rotate the squad and provide opportunities has, in recent games, resulted in greater stability in team selection.

Mbuthuma has stood out among the new additions, producing strong performances despite stiff competition in the striking department. His displays have helped him establish himself as one of the key options in attack.