Former Mamelodi Sundowns striker Rodney Ramagalela has reserved respect for Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou for backing Yanela Mbuthuma during the player’s tough period.
Mbuthuma, 24, endured a dry spell in terms of scoring and providing assists much to the frustration of the Ghost faithful who even questioned why the coach kept selecting him.
The striker has since found his scoring boots, scoring and assisting in the Betway Premiership, the MTN8 and the CAF Champions League. For his efforts Mbuthuma, was picked in Pitso Mosimane’s squad for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea as well as the international friendly against Egypt.
The former Richards Bay man provided the assist for the winner in Bafana Bafana’s 2-1 win over the National Elephants over the weekend.
Speaking to iDiski Times journalist Lethabo Kganyago in edition 274, Ramagalela gave Ouaddou credit for the faith kept in Mbuthuma.
“I respect Coach Ouaddou for giving him that support, and the rest of the Orlando Pirates players,” Ramagalela told iDiski Times.
“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.
“I was so happy when I saw him giving the assist in the second leg of the semi-final, and him scoring in the league game, that boosts his confidence. I think it’s something that he needed as a player.
“And now it’s time for him to build from that and make sure that he keeps on getting goals for Orlando Pirates. [Boitumelo] Radiopane is one boy that knows how to play as number nine. He knows where the goals are. I would want to see him scoring more goals than the previous campaign.”