Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes his rebuilding project is beginning to show signs of progress as the Buccaneers prepare to face Kruger United in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday.
Pirates have had to reshape their attack after losing Relebohile Mofokeng and Patrick Maswanganyi during the transfer window, with both players having played important roles in last season’s treble-winning campaign.
Mofokeng joined Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, while Maswanganyi completed a move to Bahrain Premier League outfit Alkhaldiya Sports Club.
Ouaddou admits replacing players of their quality has been difficult, but believes the solution lies in adapting his system to the new profiles available to him.
“We had very good profiles with Mofokeng, with Tito (Patrick Maswanganyi) and for a coach it’s not easy to lose these kind of profiles but it’s life, it’s the life of football,” Ouaddou said.
“I wish them all the best but now the life of the club must move on.”
The French-Moroccan coach has placed particular emphasis on getting his new-look attack to make quicker decisions, especially when operating in congested areas.
“We have to use the profiles to find a system that is suitable. And we wanted to play fast with intensity, with these new profiles,” he said.
“But the most important for me is how we can limit touches in crowded areas where there is lots of pressure.”
Ouaddou saw encouraging signs of that against Sekhukhune, with Pirates producing a dominant 3-0 victory in the MTN8 semi-final second leg to book their place in the final.
“We need to train them to take and make decisions before receiving the ball, for me that’s the challenge, to reduce touches in the crowded areas and I think they did it very well today,” he added.
The victory also provided evidence that Pirates’ rebuilding process may be moving in the right direction, despite the departure of two influential attacking players.
Ouaddou, however, knows there is little time to celebrate with another demanding fixture immediately around the corner.
Pirates now turn their attention to Kruger United at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Tuesday, with the match kicking off at 7.30pm.
The coach has refused to use the changes to his squad as an excuse for any shortcomings.
“My job is not to look for excuses, it’s to build, to find solutions and to keep bringing success and to win,” he said.
“I’m not a magician, it takes some time, and some are not patient. But we’re seeing the fruit of the work, with youth we need to be patient as well.”
After successfully navigating the MTN8 semi-final, Ouaddou will now want his evolving Pirates side to carry that momentum into their league campaign — another opportunity to show that the post-Mofokeng and Maswanganyi era is beginning to take shape.
