Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes his side have transformed into a “point machine” after extending their unbeaten start to the Betway Premiership with a 2-0 victory over Marumo Gallants.
The Buccaneers’ latest win at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday took them to 19 points from seven matches, leaving them just one point behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Pirates have won six of their seven league games and drawn the other, maintaining their unbeaten record since Ouaddou took charge.
The Moroccan coach was particularly pleased with the progress made by his players since the campaign began on June 24, describing the period leading up to the first FIFA international break as the team’s first cycle.
“I think my boys really did well,” Ouaddou said in comments 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.”
Ouaddou also praised his squad’s commitment, organisation and discipline, qualities he believes have made Pirates increasingly difficult to beat.
“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 used the phrase “point machine” to describe the mentality he wants his players to develop.
“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.”
Rather than chasing the leading teams, Ouaddou wants Pirates to establish themselves as the club others are attempting to catch.
“We want to assume it, not to chase and we want to be chased,” he added.
The coach said that mentality must become part of Pirates’ identity, with efficiency, intensity and attacking speed among the characteristics he wants his team to display.
“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.”
