Ouaddou has urged the Pirates youngsters to prioritise their physical health and professional discipline.
Mpho Padime of Orlando Pirates during the MTN8, Semi Final – 2nd Leg match against Sekhukhune United at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday. Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images
Orlando Pirates will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the Betway Premiership standings when they face Kruger United at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit tonight (kick-off is at 7.30pm).
The Buccaneers are currently tied on 10 points with second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns, but occupy top spot due to their superior goal difference.
Their hosts, Kruger United, sit at the bottom of the log standings after collecting just one point in their opening four matches of their first season in the top flight.
With games coming thick and fast for Pirates, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will likely change his starting line-up and once again give youngsters like Mpho Padime and Simphiwe Masilela a chance to shine against the newly promoted Premiership side.
Ouaddou introduced the two youngsters in the second half of the 3-0 win over Sekhukhune United in the second leg of the MTN8 at the Orlando Amstel Arena this past weekend. And the Moroccan was pleased with how they played in the match.
Ouaddou warns Pirates youngsters
Speaking after the game in Orlando on Saturday, Ouaddou issued a stern warning to Padime and Masilela and other Pirates youngsters, urging them to prioritise their physical health and professional discipline.
“Not only him (Mpho Padime}, I think we can include Masilela in the talk. Well, done to both of them. I think Pirates is a club that is giving chances to the young. It’s not the first time, and we continue the process. They did very well, we saw they have great potential,” said Ouaddou before giving advice to the Pirates academy graduates.
“Now, they must keep on working, they must keep on being humble, listening to be coachable. It’s only the first game. A career is a minimum of 10 years. When I have an opportunity to give them game time, definitely I will give them.
“But they must still work and be very professional because in football you can go high quickly, but you can fall quickly as well.
“Well done, keep working. Be careful about your life. You have to be professional. Think football, you train, you go home, you rest. You eat good, you drink water and not something else. Don’t smoke, don’t take things that can destroy your body,” added the Moroccan.
