Ouaddou Raises Final-Third Concerns Ahead Of Magesi Clash

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has expressed concern over his team’s effectiveness in the final third ahead of their Betway Premiership clash against Magesi at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Both sides are looking for crucial points in the encounter. Orlando Pirates are targeting a victory that would see them move into second place on the league standings, a position currently occupied by their derby rivals, Kaizer Chiefs.  

Meanwhile, Magesi find themselves at the bottom of the log with 11 points, and a win would lift them to 14th place. 
 

The Soweto Giants currently have 29 points after 13 games with two games in hand. 
 

Ouddou has expressed their readiness for the game but highlighted the difficulties they will face with playing a side like Magesi, who are currently enduring a difficult season. 
 

“We are ready for the game,” said Ouaddou. 

  
“We are doing everything to win that game. It’s very important. We know that it’s not going to be easy, like every game in the PSL. We don’t have to look at the log; we know that Magesi is a great team, very compact with a very strong team spirit, and we’ve been doing a great job since the beginning of the week, preparing mentally, physically, and tactically for that game. 

“We really want to start the year in good shape in front of our fans, and of course, we are happy to see our fans and to play for the first game of the season at Orlando Stadium.” 
 
 

Ouaddou has acknowledged that they are lacking in the final third department and feels that they need to convert their chances when it comes to that. 
 
 

“Since the beginning of the season, our team has done a great job and improved in a lot of areas, and for that, we have to encourage them to keep working,” he said. 

“If we have to focus on one area that we have to work more on, it is the last third. 

“Maybe to be more efficient because we managed to create a lot of chances, and we can see with the data, we are one of the best teams that manage to create the most chances in the last third. 

“But to be more efficient, we need to improve in that area.”