Ouaddou Identifies Set Plays As Key Area For Improvement

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has identified set pieces as a significant area of concern after his team conceded both goals from dead-ball situations in their friendly loss to Bolton Wanderers during their pre-season tour in Spain on Friday.

Set-Piece Woes Highlighted

Bolton Wanderers opened the scoring in the 38th minute when George Thomason won a header from a set piece, allowing Charlie Warren to finish past Sipho Chaine. The English side then doubled their lead in the 63rd minute from a corner, with George Johnston heading in at the far post.

Goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi appeared caught off guard, and his appeals for an impediment were dismissed.

Ouaddou acknowledged the long-standing issue, recalling how his former team, Marumo Gallants, exploited Pirates’ vulnerability from set plays last season.

“When I played against them with my previous team [Marumo Gallants], it’s an area that we wanted to put the team in trouble, and we succeeded,” he stated, referring to Gallants’ victory over Pirates last season.

He emphasized the need for immediate improvement: “This is, I think [defending set pieces], an art to defend while in the box, and we have to improve on that, I’m sure. Very positive that we are going to improve on that. Otherwise, I think a lot of positive [aspects] from our side.”

Set pieces also proved to be Pirates’ undoing last season in the CAF Champions League second-leg semi-final against Pyramids, where they lost 3-2 despite taking the lead twice, largely due to their inability to clear their lines from dead-ball situations.

Coaching Philosophy Behind Team Rotation

Pirates made a full lineup change at the start of the second half to give more players game time, which led to a noticeable drop in their attacking intensity from the first half, allowing Bolton to capitalize.

Ouaddou explained his rationale behind the extensive rotation, emphasizing the importance of squad depth and preparedness. “We will have many games, and I want everybody involved in our team,” he said. “Everybody’s important in our team. We told them that when the staff or the club needs somebody, they must be ready.”

He further added, “It’s why we are trying to do [this] in this camp. When we come back to Joburg, we will see. We want all our players to have the same time of play.”