‘He’s very important in the team’ – Abdeslam Ouaddou banking on Pirates star | OneFootball

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Ouaddou speaks on managing 'important' Pirates star

Photo: Lefty Shivambu/ Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has reserved a special praise for one of his key players, tipping him for a prominent role in the team, with the Buccaneers competing on all fronts for major honors this season.

The Soweto giants maintained their momentum in the Betway Premiership as they claimed their second win of the season at the expense of newly promoted Orbit College at Orlando in their last league outing.

Ouaddou’s men are currently in ninth place on the log standings, having accumulated six points from their first four matches. Pirates uncharacteristically lost their first two league games of the season to Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants respectively.

In their victory over Orbit, highly sought-after Relebohile Mofokeng was not part of the matchday squad as he picked up a knock prior to the match, while utility player Deon Hotto was hauled off in the second half.

The two players had featured in all the matches for the entire 90 minutes, and while the Bafana Bafana international was ruled out due to an injury, the Bucs mentor revealed that he withdrew Hotto as a precautionary measure due to his age as he considers him an integral part to his plans.

“It’s a kind of player that’s very important for the club, he’s very important in the team, on and off the pitch. We used him in every game for 90 minutes and sometimes as a coach you have to anticipate some injuries,” said Ouaddou.

“More especially for a player at his age, you have to manage him very well because we still need him and he’s very important for the club. So, of course we manage him in this half [against Orbit] to give him a breather because we don’t want to lose him, he’s very important for the next games.

Pirates will swing back into action with a Betway Premiership clash against Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday. The Sea Robbers will be relishing the opportunity to pile misery on the Chilli Boys, who are on a three-game losing streak.