Ouaddou explains decision to field Dansin

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou had no hesitation in fielding inexperienced Cemran Dansin in the key Betway Premiership fixture against Mamelodi Sundowns at the weekend and reveled in the cracking goal the 20-year-old scored in the 1-1 draw.

It was only a second start for Dansin, who made his full debut for Pirates in last Tuesday’s Carling Knockout quarterfinal win over Magesi, and while he looked to struggle in a busy midfield battle, he more than made up for it with a volleyed goal from outside the area that levelled the scores and saw Pirates take home a precious point.

“Since I came to the country eight or nine months ago, I’ve discovered that there is such, such big talent in South Africa,” is how Ouaddou began his explanation.

“And when you notice, and when you have the eyes, to see some young talent in the country, they deserve to be encouraged, to be pushed to build themselves.

“I know sometimes some coaches are scared to give a chance to young players because they're scared if they lose, they can be sacked. But as an ex-football player, I got the chance to play at the age of 18 years old,” he continued.

On Dansin, Ouaddou added: “So I have seen a fantastic potential in that player, since the pre-season when we decided to bring him to Spain with us, and he showed us fantastic qualities during the friendly games.

“I worked for seven years in development in France and you have to be careful not to burn this kind of potential. So you have to bring them on step by step. It's why you have seen that I give him sometimes 15, 20, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, just to make him comfortable.

“And I thought that it was the right moment for him against one of the best teams in the continent and to throw him in the bath. We needed to put him and to give him experience. And I think it was a fantastic opportunity for him to show against Mamelodi Sundowns what he's able to do.”

Dansin was taken off after an hour.

“Of course, I'll agree with you that he still needs work. Of course, if he were perfect, we would say that he's a Messi, but he still needs to work, and we will improve him to be one of the best players in South Africa,” the Pirates coach added.