Ouaddou: We Need To Be Ruthless
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has asked for the killer instinct, despite securing a 2–0 victory over Magesi in a Betway Premiership match at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday night.
First-half goals from Relebohile Mofokeng and Yanela Mbuthuma were enough to lift the Buccaneers back into second place on the log with 32 points, level with leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. However, Sundowns remain top of the table on goal difference, having played 15 matches compared to Pirates’ 14.
The win was particularly important for the Buccaneers after they failed to collect maximum points in their opening match of the year, settling for a disappointing 0–0 draw against Sekhukhune United in Polokwane last weekend.
“Look, we just have to be happy about the three points, and the victory was important for us and also for the fans at home,” Ouaddou said on SuperSport TV after the game.
“I think the guys respected the plan. We wanted to press and open very high to not let them breathe in terms of counter-pressing.
“We achieved that well, but in terms of finishing in the last third, I think it was tough, but we managed to make many scoring opportunities, and we need to improve on the final third because we could have scored maybe six goals today.
“Every point will be very important at the end of the season, that’s why I’m very happy for the boys. I really want to congratulate them, but I have a little bit of a taste that we could have scored many goals, but let’s keep going because the guys did well.”
The Moroccan mentor also added that the big takeaway from their victory against Dikwena Tsa Meetse is the team spirit, which they have been working on since the beginning of the season.
“The takeaway on today’s game is the team spirit, it’s one we’ve been working on since the beginning of the season,” Ouaddou added.
“You can see that the unity and solidarity in this team are fantastic. The way that we kept the ball today, as well, I think it’s something that we can build on it.
“But we still need to finish the opponent in the last third. But there are a lot of positives, and I think there’s a big hope for our team for the future.”
The Buccaneers will be looking to reclaim their first spot in the Betway Premiership when they face Arthur Zwane’s AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday.
