Ouaddou secured his third trophy in just six months since taking charge of the Buccaneers after guiding his side to a 2-0 victory over the Carling All Stars in the Carling Black Label Cup final. Significantly, both goals were scored by forwards who have had limited opportunities this season — Luthuli and Boitumelo Radiopane.
Luthuli, 24, has spent most of the campaign sidelined through injury and has featured mainly for the reserve side.
However, his performance and goal on the big stage have convinced Ouaddou that Pirates already have the attacking solution they were thought to be lacking.
The Moroccan coach admitted that he had initially identified the need for a striker ahead of the second half of the season, but Luthuli’s recovery has altered his thinking.
“About Luthuli, sometimes you don’t need two weeks or one month to see a good player,” Ouaddou told Bucs media.
“Unfortunately, he was injured for a long time, but definitely he is a player who can surprise many people in the second part of the season.”
Ouaddou also revealed that he had previously expressed a desire to strengthen his attacking options during a media appearance, only to reconsider after seeing what Luthuli can offer.
“I was with Mr Robert Marawa on his show and he asked me what my wishes were for the second half of the season,” Ouaddou explained.
“I said maybe a striker, but now I think I have to say that we don’t need one. We have a striker at the club and we will do with him. He is a good player.”
With confidence growing around his squad depth and young attackers stepping up, Ouaddou appears content to trust internal solutions as Pirates prepare for a demanding second half of the season.
Kaizer Chiefs will attempt to steady a faltering campaign when they travel to the uMhlathuze Sports Complex to face Richards Bay on Tuesday evening in a Betway Premiership clash.
Sekhukhune United defender Ryan Baartman has reportedly been forced to retire from football at 28-years-old due to a complicated back injury.
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has refused to be drawn into a war of words with his Kaizer Chiefs counterpart Cedric Kaze following Saturday's heated Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium.
We take a look at five talking points from the Betway Premiership action last week where valuable points and goals led to surprising shifts on the table.
