Orlando Pirates News Today: Ex-Downs star hails Ouaddou, Mofokeng backs teen sensation & more

Latest Orlando Pirates news, including Rodney Ramagalela’s respect for head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s handling of Yanela Mbuthuma and Relebohile Mofokeng’s glowing praise for teenage sensation Mpho Padime.

Ex-Sundowns star hails Ouaddou for Mbuthuma trust

Former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Rodney Ramagalela has expressed admiration for Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou for continuing to back striker Yanela Mbuthuma through a difficult spell in front of goal.

The 24-year-old Mbuthuma endured a frustrating run without a goal or an assist, prompting heavy criticism from the Buccaneers faithful who questioned his continued selection.

However, the former Richards Bay man has since rediscovered his scoring touch, finding the net and providing assists in the Betway Premiership, the MTN8 and the CAF Champions League.

His return to form earned him a place in Pitso Mosimane’s Bafana Bafana squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, as well as the international friendly against Egypt. Mbuthuma capped his call-up by setting up the winning goal in Bafana’s 2-1 victory over Guinea over the weekend.

Speaking to iDiski Times, Ramagalela — known as Rama G — praised Ouaddou’s patience with the striker.

“I respect Coach Ouaddou for giving him that support, and the rest of the Orlando Pirates players,” Ramagalela said.

“Even though the supporters were really hard on him when he was not scoring goals, for me, I saw something that many don’t see. He was really working hard, and that’s why Orlando Pirates were scoring and winning games while he was playing.

“And now it’s time for him to build from that and make sure that he keeps on getting goals for Orlando Pirates.”

Mofokeng tips Orlando Pirates teenage sensation

Meanwhile, Belgium-based attacker Relebohile Mofokeng has backed Orlando Pirates teenage sensation Mpho Padime to go far in his career.

Padime has emerged as one of the most exciting young players at Mayfair after making his first-team debut at just 19 years of age. The teenager has already shown flashes of the talent that convinced the Buccaneers to hand him an opportunity at senior level.

Speaking to SuperSport, the Royale Union Saint-Gilloise man praised Padime’s exciting style and his connection to the roots of South African football.

“I think he’s a very exciting player. He’s very exciting and he’s very skilful,” Mofokeng said.

“When you are watching him, you feel that South African football thing, you remember where you come from because where we come from, we dribble, we entertain people and all that.”

“When I look at him, I feel excited because he dribbles while going forward, he wants to do something for the team,” he added.

“And I think if he continues like this he’ll go far because he’s a very good player. He’s got the height, his work rate also speaks for him.”