Ouaddou Praises His Centre Back Seema

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has heaped praise on his centre back Lebone Seema after his impressive performance in their victory over Orbit College at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday. 

Seema, who joined the Buccaneers during the off-season signing from TS Galaxy, scored the game’s only goal as Pirates beat the newly-promoted Orbit with a lovely strike in the second half in Soweto. 

The defender, who was signed out of nowhere by Pirates, has been impressive in his new role, playing three games in the league this season after taking over from captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, who is out injured.

“He is doing well with his teammate at the back. I think at his age he can show a lot of maturity, and we can see that he is improving in every game,” Ouaddou said. 

However, the Moroccan mentor also warned Seema that the most difficult moment starts now that he has established himself as a top performer. 

“When you give the habit to the people to have such performance, the most difficult thing is to keep this kind of performance.”

Ouaddou drew from his 17 years of experience playing in the defender position, highlighting the importance of staying focused for the entire game. 

“I’ve been playing that position for 17 years, and the most difficult thing about that position is that you need to stay focused for 90 minutes and even 120 minutes if there’s extra time.” 

The former Marumo Gallants coach explained that, unlike strikers who can go unnoticed for most of the game and still score a winning goal, defenders need to maintain their concentration throughout the match.

Ouaddou believes that Seena has the potential to become one of the best players in the league. 

“The difference between a defender and a striker in football is that sometimes a striker can have 89 minutes, then you don’t see him on the pitch, but then you see him in the last minute when he scores, and that means he did his job well,” he explained.

“But for defenders, you can play 89 minutes very well pocketing the striker, then the striker gets a goal in the last minute, then your game is over, that means you didn’t play well.

“This is what I told him, and he scored a fantastic goal, but he has to keep on improving until the end. If you have a lack for 30 seconds, then it will be difficult for you.” 

Ouaddou’s advice to Seema is to continue working hard, believing in himself, and learning from senior players like captain Sibisi and Thapelo Xoki.

“So, my advice to him is that he must keep on working, believing in himself to start to have a leadership role as well, but he must be focused as well,” he concluded.

“He must keep on learning from captain Sibisi, Thapelo, and also take advice from senior players to keep improving so that he can be one of the best players.” 

With Seema’s impressive display, Pirates will look to continue their winning form when they face Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday.