Chaine’s form, Buthelezi’s role and Ndaba’s growth: Ouaddou breaks It down

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why Melusi Buthelezi has featured so little this season, while also praising the rapid rise of young left-back Nkosikhona Ndaba in his debut campaign. 

Buthelezi, now 27, has made just one substitute appearance in the current campaign and has featured only six times across all competitions over the past two seasons. 

His busiest period came in the 2023/24 term when he accumulated 15 appearances in domestic and continental matches. 

With Sipho Chaine now firmly established as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper, Ouaddou said his decisions are rooted in maintaining stability.

“I think the daily work with the goalkeepers is very important,” the Moroccan tactician explained. 

“It’s a special department. The mentality of goalkeepers is unique. They are in their own world, and we cannot compare them to the rest of the players.”

Ouaddou added that consistent communication within the position group is essential for maintaining confidence and readiness.

“We have to communicate with them, trust them, and give them confidence. I have four good goalkeepers. Sipho is doing well, and it’s not easy to change when you have such strength and are keeping clean sheets.”

The coach emphasised that the depth in the goalkeeper department is one of the squad’s quiet strengths this season.

“But I can tell you I have fantastic goalkeepers, hard workers, and very focused on the project. I’m very happy with them; they’re doing a good job at the club.”

Beyond the goalkeeping conversation, Ouaddou also spoke at length about the impressive emergence of left-back Ndaba, who arrived at the start of the season alongside Yanela Mbuthuma from Betway Premiership side Richards Bay.

Ndaba has already made seven appearances across competitions, contributing an assist and recently scoring his first goal for the Buccaneers in their league encounter against Golden Arrows.

 His adaptation, work rate and composure have all drawn praise from the head coach.

“Ndaba is part of the group of Orlando Pirates players that brings us something when we call him,” said Ouaddou.

“It’s what he’s done every time I called him, I’m very happy. He must continue like that because he had a good game against Golden Arrows and also against Richards Bay.”

Ouaddou said the focus now is on managing the 20-year-old carefully, ensuring that his development is not rushed as he navigates the demands of top-flight football.

“He’s a young guy, a young player that we need to trust and give him confidence. And at the same time, we need to be careful not to burn this young talent.”

The coach stressed the importance of timing when introducing emerging players into high-pressure fixtures.

“You have to know how you bring them and which moment you give them in order to create the right environment for them to improve.”

With Pirates entering a crucial stretch of the season, Ouaddou believes the blend of competition among goalkeepers and the promising rise of talents like Ndaba reflects the squad’s healthy internal environment — one he hopes will translate into consistency on the pitch.