Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says the club will rely on a reshaped attacking collective rather than a like-for-like replacement to cover the loss of star forward Relebohile Mofokeng, who has joined Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium.
Mofokeng, 21, was central to Pirates’ success last season, driving them to a domestic treble that included their first league title in 14 years. He finished the campaign with 11 goals and nine assists in all competitions and was named PSL Footballer of the Season at the league’s virtual awards ceremony on Monday.
Speaking at Rand Stadium on Tuesday, Ouaddou acknowledged the scale of the void left by the young attacker but insisted the solution would be rooted in system and structure rather than individual brilliance.
“Rele was an important player for the club. If you can just see data, his involvement in chance creation was huge, but I believe it’s important to find a profile that can take the baton,” he said.
“As you know, we are not all the time speaking about individualism; for us it’s important to speak about a collective.”
Collective combinations to replace Mofokeng
Ouaddou explained that Pirates’ pre-season camp in Spain was used to test different attacking shapes and midfield combinations in anticipation of Mofokeng’s departure.
“So, it’s what we tried to work on in Spain. We worked on many combinations, a lot of different profiles in the middle, trying to see,” he said.
The coach suggested that supporters could get an early indication of his attacking blueprint when Pirates open their league campaign at home to newly promoted Milford at Orlando Amstel Arena this weekend.
“I think we can have a good answer this weekend,” he added.
Milford challenge in league opener
Pirates begin the defence of their league title against Milford on Saturday, with Ouaddou expecting the visitors to bring the intensity typical of a side fresh from promotion.
“A recently promoted team always has this passion, this motivation to be in the big league. I guess they have a very good team spirit if they managed to reach this level,” he said.
Milford, described as league rookies, step into the top flight for the first time and will face a Pirates side looking to show they can maintain last season’s standards without their standout performer.
Pedersen signing to sharpen finishing
To complement the tactical adjustments, Pirates have also moved to strengthen their forward line with the arrival of Norwegian striker Sebastian Pedersen from second-tier club Sogndal.
The 27-year-old is seen as a key piece in improving the team’s efficiency in front of goal after a campaign in which, despite their trophy haul, Ouaddou felt they lacked a consistent finisher.
“The scouting department of the club is looking for a profile that can help us increase the average rate of our chance-creation,” he said.
“As you saw last season, we needed that finisher, that profile that can finish the action, and I think the scouting department have seen him.
“I think he’s someone who can bring freshness and quality to the team.”
Pirates will hope Pedersen’s presence adds cutting edge to a front line that must now spread the creative and scoring burden shared so heavily by Mofokeng last term.
This weekend’s league fixtures
Saturday
– Pirates v Milford, Orlando (3:30pm)
– Stellenbosch v AmaZulu, Danie Craven (3:30pm)
– Arrows v Chippa, King Zwelithini (3:30pm)
– Sundowns v Gallants, Loftus Versfeld (6pm)
– Sekhukhune v Durban, Peter Mokaba (6pm)
– Kruger v Chiefs, Mbombela (8:15pm)
Sunday
– Bay v Polokwane, Richards Bay (3:30pm)
– Siwelele v Galaxy, Dr Molemela (6pm)
