Masindi Nemtajela earns plaudits from Marumo Gallants coach

Nemtajela, a revelation for Bahlabane Ba Ntwa this season, put out a solid shift in their 1-0 Nedbank Cup quarter-final loss to Orlando Pirates at Orlando Stadium yesterday. 

The 23-year-old has featured in 16 matches in all competitions in his maiden top-flight season, and Ouaddou says they have a top player on their hands.

"Masindi is a top player, he was not playing a lot at the beginning, but we have to give confidence to the players, to make them play in the right position, and I can see that he's improving," said Ouaddou.

"He still has a lot of time to progress as well because his development is not finished, and to be honest, I'm very impressed by that player, and I can tell you that, if he continues to work, this guy can easily play in Europe.

"I was a coach in Europe, and he is a top, top player and he just needs to keep working hard."

SABC Sport understands Nematenjela has already impressed rival clubs in the Betway Premiership and is a target of Pirates and Sekhukhune United.

Meanwhile, with Royal AM’s fate in the Premier Soccer League now decided, clubs battling relegation can breathe a sigh of relief with only the 15th-placed team falling into the play-offs.

Gallants have so far collected 10 points from a possible 18 under Ouaddou, jumping up to 12th spot on the log, but he says they need at least two more wins to be safe.

"We are breathing a little bit because we were on the grill – but we are not safe because you can see that gap at the bottom [to] SuperSport United and all these teams, they are in the same pocket of two or three points [apart]," he added.

"And it [can change] so quickly, I think we are going to rest but we have to quickly start working because we are not safe. We can breathe a little bit, but next week against Golden Arrows, who are also looking for points, it will not be easy with a new coach.

"So, no, we are still focussed on that and the work is not done – maybe, because of what happened with Royal AM – all the teams that played against them have had points deducted, so I think we need two more wins to be safe. But it's not finished."

READ: Pirates coach Jose Riveiro: Record third Nedbank Cup title matters