‘This boy has something!’ Mzansi told Orlando Pirates star will answer doubters

Orlando Pirates striker Yanela Mbuthuma was a surprise inclusion in the Bafana Bafana squad that is preparing for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, respectively.

Coach Pitso Mosimane opted to give the Bucs star a chance, excluding Burnley forward Lyle Foster in the process. With Evidence Makgopa injured, Iqraam Rayners is another option in the South African team.

However, questions have been asked about the logic behind having Mbuthuma in the team owing to his struggles in front of goal. In the 2026/27 campaign, the former Richards Bay forward has played 10 games across all competitions, scoring two goals in the process and providing as many assists.

Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes the 24-year-old will surely get an opportunity to answer his doubters on the pitch.

Mosimane lauded after brave Mbuthuma decision

“You always need to work if you want to be the best in your position. If you want to be at the top of the log, if you want to win titles, you need to push yourself and work all the time,” Ouaddou said in a presser.

“First of all, I’m very happy, and again, I thank coach Pitso for noticing the quality of this boy. If I notice that this boy has quality, and coach Pitso notices as well that he has quality, I think this boy has something.

“So, it’s a big answer to all people who have doubts about this boy. It’s not that he is in the national team that he is going to stop working. 

“I will be behind him to push him to be at his best and to continue working specifically in areas of finishing. Even I, as a coach, am 47 years old; when you stop learning, it’s the end of your life. 

“Everybody here [at Pirates] still has to learn. So if I still have to learn, many people in my club still have to work to be the best,” he concluded.