Ouaddou Praises Debutants De Jong And Msendami
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou expressed satisfaction with the debut performances of new signings André De Jong and Daniel Msendami in their 2-0 victory over Magesi at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday.
The Buccaneers welcomed two new faces to their squad during the January transfer window, with De Jong joining from Stellenbosch and Msendami from Marumo Gallants, where Ouaddou worked with the Zimbabwean international last season.
The duo came on as substitutes in the second half as they beat Magesi to move to second in the table, with Ouaddou believing it was the perfect opportunity to introduce them to the Pirates’ fans.
“It was part of the plan, and when you bring some new players, I think it was the right moment to show them to our fans and to allow them to start in our stadium,” Ouaddou said.
“They did well. It’s not easy to come to a new team, and they have to integrate quickly, and I think they did well.
“The time that I gave to them, they used it well, and for me it’s a lot of hope for them and for the future.”
Both De Jong and Msendami had noticeable moments in the game, with Msendami delivering a great pass to De Jong, who unfortunately missed the target.
The Pirates’ attacking lineup against Magesi was a topic of discussion, with Ouaddou opting to start with Bafana Bafana’s attackers Relebohile Mofokeng, Tshepang Moremi, and Oswin Appollis at the same time.
“I think it’s a formation that we used regarding the quality of our players, and we have to use them and put them well,” Ouaddou added.
“It’s a game that we knew we’ll face a low block, so we wanted to bring a lot of numbers in the last third.
“We needed some players who could be found in the pockets, but at the same time, they could give us solutions in space.
“It was really an attacking system that we put in place, and it really worked, but what ‘s important is how you counter-press, and we did that very well.”
Mofokeng had a standout game, scoring one goal and assisting another, earning him the man of the match award. Although Appollis and Moremi didn’t score or assist, they had a significant impact on the game.
The 2025 Carling Knockout champions will look to continue their winning form when they take on AmaZulu on Tuesday, with De Jong and Msendami eager to get more game time.
