Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was pleased with his side’s result against Magesi in the Betway Premiership on Saturday, if still somewhat critical of the finishing in the 2-0 win at the Orlando Stadium.
The victory put Pirates level on points with leaders Mamelodi Sundowns but behind on goal difference. The Buccaneers, however, have a game in hand, which they play at fourth-placed AmaZulu on Wednesday.
“I think that my players started the game exactly like we wanted to start that game, especially the high pressing that we wanted to implement against a team we knew would come with a back five, very compact, and not give us a lot of space.
“But we managed to manipulate the space in order to score and I think we have created a lot, a lot of chances, especially in the first half,” Ouaddou said.
“We really wanted to win the game, especially for the first game of the season for our fans.”
Ouaddou’s analysis of the performance began with plenty of praise.
“In terms of the quality of the football that we have played, I think it was really interesting. The phases from the building to progression and to finishing were all fantastic. I think I have to really give the players credit for that. One thing that I appreciate a lot in our game is the way that our players are able to counterpress with energy,” he added.
But he also had some reservations.
“If I have to be a little bit tough, maybe we could have been more efficient in the last third with maybe two or three more goals at least.”
Ouaddou handed a first outing to both Andre de Jong, bought from Stellenbosch, and Daniel Msendami, the Zimbabwean winger from Marumo Gallants.
“It was part of the plan to give them game time,” the coach explained.
“It was the right moment to show them to the fans as well, and to give them the opportunity to start in our stadium. They did well. It's not easy to come here in a new team, they have to integrate quickly, and I think they did well. The time that I gave them, they used it well. And for me, it's a lot of hope for us, for the future.”
MAGESI COACHING CONFUSION
Elsewhere, confusion reigns over the coaching post at bottom-placed Magesi as Abram Nteo was surprisingly named on the team sheet as head coach for Saturday’s match against Orlando Pirates, but his predecessor, John Maduka, was also at the game.
There had been no announcement by Magesi before the match about any coaching change, up until an hour before kick-off when the team sheet appeared without Maduka and his assistant elevated to the top job.
Club official Francina Makhubela before the match did not want to explain, and afterwards, Nteo was also asked to clear up the situation but said: “Please ask me a question about the game. Management will talk about that.”
There was, however, no word from Magesi’s bosses.
Maduka watched the game from the stands but had no visible communication with Nteo, who did say he knew before the game that he would be in charge.
He also said he did not feel the Magesi players were distracted by the change, although it is not clear whether they were as surprised as observers or whether they knew well beforehand.
“Don’t think the players were distracted; they have a contract with Magesi and have to perform if they are selected to play. I don’t think what happened affected our performance. Today wasn’t our day,” he said, without explaining what.
Magesi’s website later on Saturday posted a report about Saturday’s match but also said nothing about the change. Their social media sites also carried the scores from the match but no comment about the coaching change.