Ouaddou Explains How He Plans to Develop Young Talent at Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained his approach to developing young players, emphasising the importance of discipline, tactical awareness and giving emerging talents the freedom to express themselves on the pitch.

The coach shared his philosophy following the Buccaneers' impressive 4-0 victory over African Stars in the second leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary-round tie. The result secured Pirates a convincing 5-0 aggregate victory and boosted their hopes of making a strong impact in Africa's premier club competition.

Youngsters Simphiwe Masilela and Mpho Padime were among the standout performers, with Masilela providing an assist and Padime scoring after coming on as a second-half substitute.

Ouaddou believes identifying talented youngsters is only the beginning of the development process. He insists that young footballers must understand their responsibilities and receive clear tactical instructions to help them make the right decisions, particularly under pressure.

The Pirates coach encourages his players to move the ball forward, attack directly and create scoring opportunities. However, he also understands the importance of allowing them to demonstrate their individual abilities, especially when the team has established a comfortable advantage.

Before introducing Padime against African Stars, Ouaddou reportedly instructed him to coordinate his movements with experienced teammate Deon Hotto. The objective was to prevent both players from occupying the same attacking spaces.

When Hotto moved towards the flanks, Padime was expected to operate centrally, while the youngster could exploit wider areas when his teammate moved inside.

Ouaddou was particularly pleased with Padime's willingness to take on defenders, make forward runs and enter dangerous positions inside the penalty area.

The coach also highlighted the importance of demanding training sessions, explaining that exposing young players to pressure helps assess their reactions, decision-making and readiness for senior football.

Masilela and Padime's performances offer encouraging signs for Pirates as Ouaddou continues to build a competitive squad capable of challenging domestically and in continental competitions.

Source

https://www.idiskitimes.co.za/caf-champions-league/ouaddou-on-pirates-emerging-talent-padime-masilela/