Abdeslam Ouaddou offers candid advice to Pirates youngsters after Padime debut

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has shared a candid advice with the Bucs youngsters after highly-rated Mpho Padime made his first-team debut for the club over the weekend.

The 19-year-old winger entered the fray in the 82nd minute in place of Ghampani Lungu, with the Sea Robbers in a comfortable 3-0 lead over Sekhukhune United in the second leg of the MTN8 semi-final.

He swiftly imposed himself on the game with silky touches, much to the delight of a host of the Bucs faithful, who have already tipped him to fill the void left by Relebohile Mofokeng.

Ouaddou says he was not suprised by Padime's potential, alongside Simphiwe Masilela, having watched the players in the Dstv Diski Challenge (DDC) last season, prior to roping them to the Spain pre-season camp ahead of the current term.

“Yes [he has potential], not only him, I think we can include Masilela in the talk, well done for both of them. I think Pirates is a club that gives a chance to the youngsters, it's not the first year and we continue the process,” said the Pirates boss.

"They did really well, everybody saw that they have great potential. I saw that potential when they came to start training on the 24th of June, but even last season when I wanted to see them.

"I went to see some DDC games and I asked Roscoe [Krieling] the coach, Mxolisi [Mngomezulu], that I'd like to see them more. So, I had them for six months, so I was not suprised about the potential.

While the Bucs mentor, similarly to the club's supporters, is pleased with the players' showing in the early stages of their careers, he urged the pair to remain grounded and continue to put in the work, amid the hype.

“But now they must keep working, they must keep being humble, listening to be coachable. It's only the first games, a career is minimum 10 years, so when I have an opportunity to give them game time, definitely I will give them,” Ouaddou added.

"But they still must work and be very professional because football you can go high quickly but you can fall quickly as well. So, what I'm asking from them is to keep working, be careful about your life.

"You have to be professional, think football, you train, you go home, you rest, you eat good, you drink water, not something else, don't smoke, don't take things that can destroy your body, and think for your career - it's all the time my message, and work.

Pirates, meanwhile, swing back to action with a Betway Premiership clash against newly promoted side Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday, as they look to open a gap at the summit of the standings.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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