‘He has all the attributes, potential and qualities’

Exciting Orlando Pirates midfielder Simphiwe Masilela has turned heads in his 11 appearances this season, and there is hope he could be the club’s next big star.

Over the past few years, the Buccaneers have produced young talent including Mohau Nkota, Relebohile Mofokeng and Mbekezile Mbokazi who have gone on to represent Bafana Bafana.

Masilela impressed in Pirates’s 2-0 defeat in Saturday’s MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns, where he came on as a substitute and got the Buccaneers back in the game at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

He caught the eye again in Tuesday night’s 3-0 Betway Premiership win over TS Galaxy at Orlando Stadium.

The 22-year-old capped a fine performance with a well-taken goal in a clash where he was used as a playmaker alongside midfielders Simphiwe Selepe and Thapelo Mokobodi.

His performances have impressed Bucs coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, who has tipped Masilela for a big future.

The former Morocco international challenged the player, drafted into the senior team after his key role helping Pirates win the DStv Diski Challenge under-23 league in 2025-26, to continue improving and avoid the trap of striving to be popular with fans.

“It’s up to him. If he wants to continue on this path, he needs to continue working hard. He knows what the requirements are. If he wants to lose himself, he knows the other path,” warned Ouaddou.

The coach, who has worked with top-class young players in France, said Masilela is one of the best prosects he has encountered.

“What I can tell you is that he has all the attributes, potential and qualities to express himself at the high level.

“I worked for six to seven years at development level in France at the Michel Platini Academy. I have seen lots of young players and he is one of the best I have seen.”

Masilela is a highly skilful player. Ouaddou has been vocal against players who overelaborate with the ball.

“When I try to put these young players on the right path in high-level football and make them leave certain things that are not going to help them, some people are fighting the coach. But without any arrogance and with a lot of humility, we know what we are talking about and where we want to bring our players.

“If you saw him when he started against Marumo Gallants, you understand what the coach is expecting from him. He played well against Gallants in Rustenburg, he was good in the MTN8 final and against TS Galaxy.

“We have seen what he is capable of. This is exactly what we expect from a modern 10.”