Ouaddou says Orlando Pirates have become a ‘point machine’

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says his side have developed into a “point machine” after extending their unbeaten start to the Betway Premiership season with a 2-0 victory over Marumo Gallants.

The result at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday afternoon moved Pirates to within one point of league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Buccaneers have taken 19 points from their first seven league matches, winning six and drawing one. They have also maintained their unbeaten record since Ouaddou took charge.

The Moroccan coach said the team had made encouraging progress during the opening phase of the campaign, which began on 24th June and has now reached the first FIFA break.

“About us, we had globally a good game, we have finished the first cycle. When I say the first cycle, it’s since the 24th of June, since we started until the first FIFA break. I think my boys really did well,” Ouaddou said after the match in a video shared by PrimeSportsWithMahlatse.

“I have to give them credit since the 24th of June in terms of how we played football. We had some difficult moments since the beginning, but at least we scored a lot of goals. We didn’t concede too much.”

Pirates setting a new standard

Ouaddou was also pleased with the attitude, structure and discipline displayed by his players, and believes those qualities are making Pirates increasingly difficult to overcome.

“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, in terms of discipline. It’s very difficult to play against Pirates,” he said.

The coach then described the shift in the team’s standing among the league’s most reliable point scorers.

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

“It used to be some other teams that are point 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.”

Pirates’ immediate ambition, he added, is not simply to pursue the teams above them but to become the side others are trying to catch.

“We want to assume it, not to chase and we want to be chased,” he said.

Ouaddou said he wanted that approach to become central to the team’s identity, alongside efficiency, intensity and an attacking style based on speed.

“It’s the mentality that I want to give to the boys, to become a point machine, to be efficient, to play fantastic football with speed, with intensity, with no room for improvisation, no room for funny things. It’s the image that I want to give to my team.”