Pedersen signing gives Orlando Pirates ‘finisher’ they lacked – Ouaddou

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says new Norwegian striker Sebastian Pedersen has been signed to sharpen the champions’ cutting edge in front of goal and lift their chance-conversion rate.

Pirates clinched last season’s Betway Premiership title by a single point ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns after a tightly contested campaign. Although the Buccaneers ended the league season with one more goal than their closest rivals, Ouaddou believes their finishing still fell short of the standards set by their overall play.

A detailed look at the final table reveals the issue: Pirates created a high volume of chances but lacked a ruthless presence in the box. First-choice forwards Evidence Makgopa and Yanela Mbuthuma managed only six and five league goals respectively, leaving much of the scoring burden to attack-minded midfielders.

Relebohile Mofokeng, who has since joined Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, finished the campaign with 10 goals, while fellow attacking midfielder Oswin Appollis contributed nine. With Mofokeng now in Europe, Ouaddou has turned to Pedersen to provide a more orthodox scoring threat and regular supply of goals and assists.

‘We needed a finisher’

Speaking at a media briefing at Rand Stadium ahead of Pirates’ opening league fixture of the new season against promoted side Milford FC at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, Ouaddou outlined the rationale behind the move for Pedersen.

“The scouting department of the club was looking for a profile who could help us increase the average of conversion,” he said.

“Last season we were the best team on the continent with the best average in terms of chances created.”

According to the Pirates coach, the missing ingredient was a specialist finisher capable of turning those opportunities into goals on a consistent basis, and Pedersen has been identified as the player to fill that role.

“He is integrated into the group. You saw last season we needed a finisher and he is the profile who can finish the actions,” Ouaddou explained.

Early integration in Spain

Pedersen has already spent several weeks with his new team-mates after linking up with Pirates during their pre-season camp in Spain. Ouaddou believes that decision was crucial in helping the Norwegian adapt to his new surroundings, both on and off the pitch.

“The scouting department saw him and he is somebody who can bring us freshness,” the coach said.

“He has quality and it was important for us to have him during our pre-season camp in Spain to integrate him.

“He may be a good player but we have to make it easy for him because he is coming into a new environment.”

With the Betway Premiership title defence beginning against Milford FC at Orlando Stadium, Pirates head into the new season hoping that Pedersen’s arrival will convert their impressive chance creation into a more clinical return – and ensure they stay ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns in both goals and points.