Orlando Pirates boss Abdeslam Ouaddou praises defensive strength after Kruger United win

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has identified the club’s defensive organisation as the most encouraging feature of their impressive start to the season.

The Buccaneers strengthened their position at the top of the Betway Premiership with a 4-0 victory over league newcomers Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday.

Pirates have collected 13 points from their opening five matches and have also reached the MTN8 final for a fifth successive year. They will play Mamelodi Sundowns in the final on 10 October.

Despite the emphatic scoreline, Ouaddou said his side had been given a difficult test by a Kruger United team that showed considerable physical commitment, particularly during the first half.

“Look, we had a really tough game, we expected this fighting spirit from that team [Kruger],” said Ouaddou.

“I think we did manage in the first half to respond to the aggressivity that they have imposed on us in the duels, in the air. We didn’t manage to progress like we want.

“I think we were not ready, to be honest, we were not ready in the first half. We were surprised about the fighting spirit about that team.

“I think the positive point in the second half is maybe we slightly answered about this aggressiveness by the transitions. We were defending very well. We had a compact block.”

The French tactician acknowledged that Pirates had not produced their best performance in possession, but felt their ability to remain compact and exploit transition opportunities was a major positive.

Ouaddou also stressed that the result should not disguise the areas in which his players must improve, with greater control of matches among his immediate priorities.

“I think if we have to have something positive, it’s how we defend and how we are able to answer to this kind of games.

“We had a couple of transitions that we managed to score. So we have to analyse the game quickly and maybe to improve for the next game because we need to have more control.

“We need to definitely have more control. If I have to keep something positive, it’s how we defend. Congratulations to the boys, to the team block, the effort inside the team block and, of course, the four goals.”

The clean sheet and four goals also improved Pirates’ goal difference, an outcome Ouaddou described as particularly valuable during a demanding campaign.

“Four goals are very important for the goal differences. We didn’t concede a goal. And there are some games like that.”

Pirates’ coach said the players had wanted to perform better and admitted the match did not meet the highest standards in terms of style or fluency.

However, he maintained that securing the points, scoring four times and preventing Kruger United from finding the net were important achievements.

“Of course, the boys wanted to play better. We wanted to play better. But in terms of beautiful football today, I cannot say that we had a beautiful game. But sometimes it’s like that. It’s football.”