Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has thrown his support behind Boitumelo Radiopane, insisting that the young striker’s attitude and professionalism will eventually translate into goals.
The Buccaneers’ development graduate has come under pressure to deliver in front of goal after starting the season as a surprise inclusion in the attack.
Read: Pirates Coach Advised On How To Get Radiopane Firing
While Radiopane impressed some fans with his link-up play in the quarter-final win over Polokwane City, the goals have since dried up, with Pirates scoring only four times in their opening four matches.
Ouaddou opted to start Evidence Makgopa in Saturday’s 1-1 MTN8 semi-final first-leg draw against Mamelodi Sundowns at Orlando Stadium, with Radiopane introduced late in the game.
The coach, however, was full of praise for the youngster after the match.
“Because these kinds of players, I think it’s easy for a coach because he has a fantastic mentality. He’s a well-educated player and a man, respectful,” said Ouaddou, speaking to journalists.
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“He’s a worker. So, I’m lucky to have such players to train and he’s a professional. It means when we call him for duty, he doesn’t have any problem to sit on the bench and to come back and to give everything. You know, I gave him 10 minutes. I told him, ‘Son, you have 10 minutes. Go to score your goal.’ And he nearly scored, and he gave everything. It’s the mentality that the coach is waiting for his players. And all my players, I’m really, really lucky about all the players that I have in Pirates. They have fantastic mentality. It’s one of the first dressing rooms that I have seen such great mentality of the players,” the coach said.
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