What Abdeslam Ouaddou makes of goal-shy Boitumelo Radiopane | OneFootball

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Ouaddou backs Radiopane to find goal-scoring form

Photo: Afrik-foot

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has shared his thoughts on striker Boitumelo Radiopane, who has struggled to find the back of the net so far this season, despite being entrusted to lead the line.

The 22-year-old forward, who joined the Buccaneers at the age of 15, earned promotion to the first team after impressing in the Dstv Diski Challenge [DDC] during the 2020/21 season. However, his Bucs spell has been marred by injuries, prompting a loan move to Cape Town Spurs.

Now, Radiopane has been given the responsibility to be the main striker ahead of experienced campaigners in Tshegofatso Mabasa and Evidence Makgopa, much to the frustration of the Bucs faithful.

However, while the young center-forward is yet to score in the four games he has featured in this season, Ouaddou is optimistic the player will find his goal-scoring boots due to his work ethic and mentality.

“I think it’s easy for a coach [to play him] because he has fantastic mentality, he’s a well-educated player and a man. He is respectful, he’s a worker so, I’m lucky to have such players to train and he is a professional,” said the former Marumo Gallants boss.

“When we call him for the duty, he doesn’t have any problem to sit on the bench and come back to give everything. I gave him 10 minutes [against Mamelodi Sundowns], and I told him, ‘Son you have 10 minutes, go score your goal,’ and he nearly scored and he gave everything.

“It’s the mentality that the coach wants from his players and all my players [have that mentality], I’m really lucky about all the players I have at Pirates. It’s one of the first dressing rooms that I have seen with such great mentality from the players.

Having lost their opening two league matches of the season for the first time since the 2007/08 campaign, Pirates will return to action with a clash against Stellenbosch FC at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening.