Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has hailed Kabelo Dlamini’s quality and has drawn a comparison to legendary French playmaker Zinedine Zidane.

The 30-year-old is yet to feature for the Buccaneers this season, having been sidelined through injury.

However, Dlamini could make his long-awaited return when they face La Cure Waves in the CAF Champions League preliminary round second leg on Saturday.

Ouaddou believes the midfielder possesses a rare ability to assess his options before receiving the ball — a quality he feels is crucial in the tight spaces of the middle of the park.

“Dlamini is doing a great effort every day to come back and to be available for the team. I really appreciate the great spirit that he’s showing every day in training,” Ouaddou told the media.

“These kind of players in the middle, in your team, are always important because they have a lot of creativity.

“They are able to find these kinds of passes that not everybody can find in the small space. It’s a player that is able to have a quick decision-making.

“And like I was speaking before, in this area of the game, you need players who can take a decision before receiving the ball.

“I don’t want to compare him to Zinedine Zidane. But if you remember, Zinedine Zidane was not a quick player.

“But before receiving the ball, he knows where he’s going to give the ball. That is what we need, actually, in the middle.”