Ouaddou explains how Moremi’s pace has sparked Pirates scoring run

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says Tshepang Moremi’s recent goalscoring form has come from making better use of his natural speed, rather than trying to change the winger into a different type of player.

The 26-year-old has become an increasingly important attacking player for the Buccaneers, offering pace and a willingness to run directly at defenders.

Pirates host Sekhukhune United in the Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday, with Moremi looking to continue his productive spell.

Speaking during the competition’s media engagements, Ouaddou said his coaching philosophy was based on adapting the team’s game model to the qualities of his players.

“Look, you know, to be a coach, it’s not only planning training exercises, drills, team talks and the game model. It’s important to analyse the profile and the qualities of your players in order to draw or deliver a game model that can suit them,” he said.

Ouaddou added that modern football can encourage teams to use inverted wingers, but said that approach should not come at the expense of a player’s individual strengths.

“And speaking about the player, I know that in modern football there are a lot of people watching big teams, Manchester City, Barcelona, all these teams, and everybody wants to have inverted players.

“But sometimes, even though I want to have inverted players, the quality of the players is sometimes to be simple and to have a winger. He’s not a No.10, he’s not a No.10, and I cannot convert him into a No.10.”

The Pirates manager said he had repeatedly reminded Moremi that his pace was a quality few players possessed and needed to be used more effectively.

“I always say to Moremi that you have a special quality that you are gifted with. God gave you a special quality, and this is speed.

“For me, I told him, you know, if I was a player, I wanted to have your speed. Maybe I could walk until the end of the world. I cannot have your speed. I will walk a little bit, but you have to use this speed efficiently.

“When you are going to understand that you have to use your quality, you are going to be efficient. So, it’s what we did. I cannot go deep to tell you how we use his speed and where we use it because I’m going to give you the plan.

“But he’s using his quality in a wonderful way that helps the team and helps his teammates.”

Ouaddou also compared Moremi with former Pirates player Relebohile Mofokeng and current winger Oswin Appollis, stressing that the 26-year-old should remain himself.

“If he wants to become Mofokeng, he can’t be Mofokeng. He has to stay Moremi. And Mofokeng cannot be Moremi,” he said. “And if he wants to be Appollis, he will not be Appollis, but Appollis cannot be Moremi.”

The coach said Moremi had responded positively, contributing goals while also creating chances for his teammates.

“The most important thing for me is when I see Moremi happy at the end of the game, with a smile. He’s able to score, he’s able to feed his teammates, he’s not selfish, so he’s going to go far like that.”