Boitumelo Radiopane earns Abdeslam Ouaddou praise as Orlando Pirates down Sekhukhune

Radiopane opened the scoring at the Olando Amstel Arena after 36 minutes, and Oswin Appollis sealed the result when he hit the target just past the hour mark.

The result saw the Buccaneers move to the top of the Betway Premiership standings with 10 points from four games.

Radiopane has found game-time at Bucs hard to come by over the past few seasons, but he took his chance after making the most of a rare start with a goal, and an assist.

Ouaddou told SuperSport after the game: "I told him from yesterday that he's going to start.

"So, I told him that there are some games that you have to take your chance. For me he take his chance so it's good.

"It's good to have one more striker that is able to score, very positive for his confidence.

"I think this boy has everything to be successful. He has the profile of a true striker.

"I'm very happy for him to score today. Let's hope that he's going to keep the spirit and maybe to score more goals."

Radiopane got the nod after Ouaddou opted to rest striker Yanela Mbuthuma and captain Nkosinathi in a bid to keep his squad fresh for what is already a demanding season.

"So we rested Sibisi and Mbuthuma. I think he had a lot of games so it was time to give him a rest and see the other strikers as well," explained Ouaddou.

"It was the right moment to make the rotation because if I didn't do it then I don't know when I'd get the chance again."

Pirates face Sekhukhune again on Saturday in their MTN8 semi-final second leg against Sekhukhune, where they lead 1-0 from the first leg.