Football is changing fast. The game is no longer just about scoring goals. Players need to do much more on the field today. Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has been explaining why young striker Yanela Mbuthuma fits perfectly into his team’s style of play. His comments show how football has evolved and what coaches now expect from forwards.
Mbuthuma joined the Pirates from Richards Bay during the off-season. The 23-year-old has already made his mark at the club. He has scored five goals and provided one assist in 14 matches across all competitions. He has been leading the attack in recent games and has contributed to important goals. This has made Ouaddou very happy with his progress.
The coach talked about why he likes working with local talent. He explained that when you have young players from your own country, you should give them chances to shine. Too many people think the grass is greener in other countries. But Ouaddou believes it is important to look at the talent you already have at home. South Africa has many talented footballers, and the coach wants to use them well.
What makes Mbuthuma special is not just his ability to score. Ouaddou explained that modern strikers must do much more than wait in the box for the ball. The old style of football where strikers just stood in a small area waiting to score is finished. That kind of game does not work anymore in today’s fast-paced sport.
The Pirates coach described Mbuthuma as a modern striker. He praised the player’s fitness and his willingness to work hard without the ball. Mbuthuma has the ability to make that first effort for five seconds. This short burst of energy helps his teammates recover the ball. It makes it easy for the midfielders and defenders to get back into position.
Ouaddou went into detail about what he expects from his forwards. Modern strikers must be efficient with the ball when they receive it. They need to be sharp in the box when opportunities come. They must be mobile and make runs even when they do not have the ball. When the team is pressing the opposition, everyone must work together to win the ball back.
The coach made it very clear that strikers who do not press have no place in his squad. He said that the whole team defends together. The first defenders are actually the strikers. This is a simple but important idea. If the forwards do not work hard, the entire system breaks down.
Ouaddou also talked about other strikers in his team like Evidence Makgopa and Boitumelo Radiopane. He likes all of them because they can play well without the ball. Some people think strikers only need to score goals. But the coach explained that this old way of thinking is over. Players must contribute in many different ways.
The team’s success shows that this approach works. Pirates have been very strong this season. Ouaddou said the team is powerful because everybody works together. It is not just the back four defenders who do the defending. Even when key players leave, the system remains strong because everyone understands their role.
The coach gave an example of former player Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who was one of the best players in the country. When he left, the system continued to work well. This happened because all the players buy into the coach’s philosophy. They understand that football is a team game where everyone must contribute.
Mbuthuma’s journey has not always been simple. He missed a crucial penalty in a Champions League match that saw Pirates knocked out of the competition. Many fans criticized him for that mistake. But Ouaddou showed great support for the young player. The coach rushed onto the pitch after that game to console him. He told Mbuthuma to be proud of what he did. Without his earlier goal in that match, they would not have even reached the penalty shootout.
This support from the coach has helped Mbuthuma bounce back. Just days after that heartbreak, he came off the bench against Golden Arrows and scored two goals. The team won 3-1, and Pirates climbed to second place in the league. This shows the mental strength of the young striker and the positive environment Ouaddou has created.
The coach’s message is clear. Modern football needs complete players. Strikers cannot just be goal scorers anymore. They must defend, press, make runs, and work hard for the team. Yanela Mbuthuma represents this new generation of forwards. His fitness, work rate, and team spirit make him valuable to Orlando Pirates. At just 23 years old, he has a bright future ahead if he continues developing under Ouaddou’s guidance.
