Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has spoken on the return of Boitumelo Radiopane after a long injury layoff.
Radiopane made his return to action in Pirates’ dominant 3-0 victory over AmaZulu FC at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday afternoon.
He made a cameo appearance coming off the bench in the second half to replace Yanela Mbuthuma.
The Buccaneers delivered a commanding performance, with goals from Mbuthuma, Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng sealing maximum points.
The result saw Pirates climb to the top of the Betway Premiership standings on 58 points from 25 matches, overtaking Mamelodi Sundowns, who sit two points behind with games in hand.
With the title race intensifying, Ouaddou revealed that Radiopane’s inclusion was a calculated decision by the technical team as they look to keep their attacking options sharp and competitive.
“Radiopane has been working for a long time to come back,” said Ouaddou. “He has shown good performances in training, and we felt it was the right moment to give him some game time.”
The Moroccan tactician also confirmed that the absence of Evidence Makgopa was purely tactical, aimed at managing squad rotation and ensuring all forwards remain match-ready.
“It’s important for our strikers to be competitive. Giving Radiopane minutes helps build his confidence and shows that the technical team is monitoring his progress,” he added.
The young forward has endured a frustrating season, limited to just five appearances due to injuries and inconsistency.
However, his return could not come at a better time, with Pirates pushing for the league title and needing depth in attack for the final stretch.
As the Soweto giants gear up for the run-in, Radiopane’s resurgence may yet prove to be a timely boost in their quest for silverware.