Ouaddou demands quick fix after Orlando Pirates’ opening win

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says his side must quickly address their habit of giving the ball away in dangerous areas after beginning their PSL campaign with a 2-0 victory over newly promoted Milford FC.

Goals from Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi secured the points for the Buccaneers on Saturday afternoon, giving them a winning start as well as a clean sheet.

However, Ouaddou was unhappy with the way Pirates surrendered possession in their own half, particularly during the opening 45 minutes. He believes those mistakes could have cost his team, despite Milford failing to score.

“Look, it was not an easy game for the opening game of the PSL, I expected a little bit more in terms of being dominant on the ball, more control on the ball. I think first half even we managed to create some chances to kill the game,” Ouaddou told SuperSport after the game.

“I don’t think we had the control of the game, in the second half we made some tactical adjustments in order to find more players in the half spaces and at the same time to be more patient to give the opportunity to the second line to give us to find the run.

“Because I felt that everybody wants the ball on the feet at the same line and we didn’t put this team in trouble too much in the first half but in the second we managed to create like three or four chances but ok we have to give credit to the boys in the opening game.

“We can see that some of the players still a little bit tired with the World Cup, but good three points to take and we move on,” he added.

Ouaddou said Pirates’ second-half adjustments allowed them to use the spaces between Milford’s defensive and midfield lines more effectively. The hosts also showed greater patience in possession and created three or four opportunities after the interval.

The coach was nevertheless clear that the team’s loss of composure must be addressed before their next fixture.

“I think it’s something we have to fix quickly because I cannot say that this team put us in trouble. I think we made mistakes and we gave them opportunities to score, but thanks God we didn’t concede goal but we could’ve conceded goal.

“And I think it’s something we have to fix quickly and to find back our serenity our calm, you know we’re Orlando Pirates and I expect that some times we stress too much and if we want to play at the high-level and be ambitious again for the title and Champions League again we need to have more stability,” Ouaddou said.

The victory gives Pirates three points from their opening match, while Milford were left to begin life in the top flight with defeat.

Ouaddou also acknowledged that some of his players appeared to be feeling the effects of their involvement in the World Cup. Despite those concerns, he praised the squad for securing the result and said the team would now move forward with the lessons from their first league game.