Orlando Pirates manager Abdeslam Ouaddou has hailed the impact of youngsters Mpho Padime and Simphiwe Masilela.
The pair appeared as second-half substitutes in Pirates’ 3-0 win over Sekhukhune United in the second leg of the MTN8 semifinal at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday, helping the Soweto giants record a 4-0 aggregate triumph and keep themselves in course for a fifth successive title in the cup competition.
“Not only him [Padime]. I think we can include Masilela in that talk [of youngsters holding their own],” Ouaddou was quoted by the Sowetan.
“We done to both of them. Pirates is a club that gives youngsters a chance. It’s not the first year [that the club does this], and we continue the process.
“Everyone can see they have great potential. I saw the potential when they came to start training on June 24, but even last season when I watches some DDC [DStv Diski Challenge] games, I asked Roscoe [Krieling, DDC coach] and Mxolisi [Mngomezulu, club scout] that I wanted to see them more in training.”
Ouaddou, however, has warned the players not to rest on their laurels: “I am not surprised by the potential, but now they must keep working hard, stay humble, and be coachable. It’s only the start; a football career is a minimum of 10 years.
“I will give them game time when I have to, but they still have to work and be professional because in football you can be high now, but you can fall very quickly.”
Pirates will next be in Betway Premiership action, travelling to face league rookies Kruger United at the Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday evening.
