Orlando Pirates boss Ouaddou backs Radiopane to shine following Maswanganyi departure

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is urging his team to dig deep and address their recent shortcomings as they prepare for the second leg of their MTN8 semi-final against Sekhukhune United on Saturday at Orlando Stadium. Although Pirates secured a 2-0 victory over Sekhukhune in the Betway Premiership, leaving them 10 points from the league title, Ouaddou was critical of his team's performance, citing a lack of fluidity and midfield disarray.

Despite facing a long injury list and key player departures, including Patrick Maswanganyi, Pirates have managed to remain unbeaten in league games and progress through the MTN8. Ouaddou emphasized the need for quick solutions to secure a place in the final, stating that three days should be sufficient to identify areas for improvement.

He also addressed his previous friction with Maswanganyi, explaining that initial disagreements stemmed from expectations during training. However, Maswanganyi returned to pre-season training in Marbella with a renewed attitude, leading to a stronger relationship and improved performances. Radiopane's first start of the season against Sekhukhune and his subsequent strike have given the coach confidence in the forward's potential.