Ouaddou confident Fifa break will not disrupt Orlando Pirates’ form

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says the Fifa international break has come at the right time and will not halt his side’s momentum after five consecutive league victories.

The Buccaneers moved to 19 points from seven matches with a 2-0 victory over Marumo Gallants at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday. They are one point behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played one match fewer.

Rather than viewing the pause as a threat to their form, Ouaddou believes it will allow his players to recover after a demanding run of fixtures in the league, MTN8 and Caf Champions League.

“To be honest, we’ve been playing for almost three days for two months,” he said. “I always say that in a periodisation, you need to have at least a moment of regeneration break. It is very important.

“You cannot push the players until you break them, and we asked them a lot in terms of physical effort and in terms of concentration because they have many rules to follow, the game plan, and different opposition to play.

“You have to adapt to training, and you cannot understand that it is very difficult for the players. So, this Fifa break came at the right time to have some physiological regeneration for the players to rest and come back stronger.

“I don’t think it will break our momentum; this Fifa break comes at the right time to give some rest to players; it is necessary.”

Pirates have conceded only one goal in their opening seven league matches, a defensive record Ouaddou believes reflects the quality of the team’s performances during the opening phase of the season.

“We have finished the first cycle. When I say the first cycle, it’s since June 24, since we started until the first Fifa break. I think my boys really did well,” he said.

“We had some difficult moments since the beginning, but at least we scored a lot of goals. We didn’t concede too much.”

Ouaddou said the squad had shown strength, commitment, organisation and discipline, while acknowledging that Pirates must remain grounded despite their strong start.

“I think for now, if I have to give a resume of this first cycle, it’s just well done. Very positive in terms of strength, in terms of commitment, in terms of organisation, and in terms of discipline. It’s very difficult to play against Pirates.

“I have to stay very humble with our team, but we can say that we have become a points machine.

“It used to be some other teams that were points machines, but this season I think we are playing our role, our role of the champions, and we want to stay there, and we assume it.”