Ouaddou: Defensive Focus Was Key To Upset Pirates
New Marumo Gallants coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has identified reinforcing the defense as his top priority, citing the club’s high number of goals conceded this season.
Ouaddou secured his first victory and a clean sheet in his debut match, as Gallants stunned Orlando Pirates at the Toyota Stadium on Saturday. This followed the recent dismissals of coach Dan Malesela and technical director Molefi Ntseki.
Gallants, who have conceded 30 goals in 19 matches, which is more than anyone, climbed to 13th place in the Betway Premiership table with 19 points after their win. They are now one and two points ahead of 14th-placed Richards Bay and 15th-placed Magesi, respectively.
““The target since I came, it was to give confidence to my players, first of all,” said Ouaddou, who hails from Morocco.
“You know when you concede 30 goals, you have to change something if you want to save the club.
“The first thing I did was to give confidence to the players. Afterwards, it is to build the foundation and the foundation when you play modern football, it is to strengthen your defence.
“Because, even if you score so many goals and your defence is struggling, you are in trouble.
“If you score three goals and you concede four goals, it is zero point.
“My first job was to strengthen the defence and to work with the compactness of our team. I think for the future; we are going to improve.”
Gallants’ crucial victory over Pirates, secured with goals from Gabadinho Mhango and an own goal by Thalente Mbatha, served as sweet revenge for their 8-1 defeat to the Soweto giants in the first leg.
“All the things were not perfect on Saturday,” acknowledged the former AS Vita Club.
“Because we didn’t have the possession, especially in the first half. We lost too much of the ball and when we recover the ball, we lose it again quickly.
“Unfortunately, we have a lot of injuries and that changed completely our plan.
“The most thing was this win to give confidence to all the club, all the fans because they are very important since they provide the 12th man.
“We are going to build and save the club. But I’m very proud of my players.”
