Orlando Pirates' Abdeslam Ouaddou lauds new forward's performance after pre-season tour
Ouaddou spoke specifically about the 23-year-old Mbuthuma after the win over Granada.
It was perhaps the best result of the pre-season tour as they lost 2-0 to Bolton, drew 1-1 with Pafos and ended in a goalless draw against Los Palmas before their final fixture.
Pirates concluded their run of four matches with a 2-0 win over La Liga outfit Granada over the weekend.
As Orlando Pirates wrapped up their pre-season tour, Bucs coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has been glowing in his assessment of forward Yanela Mbuthuma .
Ouaddou's Defensive Strategy and Team Progress
'[Pressing is] one of the instructions of the defensive formation when we are defending,' Ouaddou told SuperSport TV.
'He (Mbuthuma) did a great job in terms of pressing, that is what we asked him. His job was to stop the relationship between the central defender and the goalkeeper.
'And to push the opponent to make mistakes because we wanted to recover the ball on the sides. We did very well in the first half. But afterwards, when we recovered the ball, the plan was to open wide and to find free space in order to create chances.'
With Ouaddou taking the reins ahead of the new season, there were indeed some encouraging signs.
'I think we achieved that, we had many chances, now we have to improve in the box, to be more clinical, and we can win the game.
'We can see that the team, step by step, is starting to understand a bit better exactly the expectation of the coach. So I am happy.'
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
14 minutes ago
- IOL News
Kaizer Chiefs have always been South Africa's team – not just Soweto's pride
Large backing in Durban Kaizer Chiefs supporters in Durban watch their team in action in last season's Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Photo: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix Image: Gerhard Duraan/BackpagePix Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs announced their intention to continue playing their home games all over South Africa. Last season, Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban and Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane served as their home base alongside the FNB Stadium in Soweto. And it paid off for the club. They drew bigger crowds in Polokwane and Durban as fans in those cities got the chance to watch their heroes up close. 'We're definitely a national brand, so the country is our home. So, definitely, we'll be playing at FNB Stadium, but we're certainly going to be playing in Mabhida – you'll see us playing in the Toyota Cup there on Saturday,' Jessica Motaung, the club's marketing director, was quoted by iDiski Times. 'Then we will look at playing our other home games in other parts of the country. We also have the opportunity to play elsewhere for our CAF games, in CAF-certified stadiums. Certainly, the balance of travel vs having a base here at FNB will be managed.' Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Chiefs moving their games around the country makes sense, as it's consistent with how the club was founded by Kaizer Motaung back in the 1970s. Back then, the mighty Amakhosi didn't have a permanent home and played in townships and rural towns across South Africa. They took the game to places where fans had little access to top-tier football. Entertaining players like Ace Ntsoelengoe, Teenage Dladla, Vusi "Computer" Lamola, and Pro Khumalo, kept fans on their feet for the duration of matches. Because of this, the club built up a large following, which resulted in them becoming the most supported club in the country. Despite having the most fans in South Africa, Chiefs have struggled to fill up FNB Stadium in recent years. There is a sense of apathy among the club's supporters in Soweto, who would rather watch games from the comfort of their own homes instead of going to the ground and cheering on their players. Two seasons ago, Chiefs were embarrassed when only a few of their supporters showed up to honour one of the club's greatest-ever players, Itumeleng Khune. When the club chooses to play their home games across South Africa, they should be lauded for celebrating their roots. When they play in Durban, Gqeberha, Polokwane, or even Stellenbosch, you get the sense that you are watching the biggest and most supported club in the country. At FNB Stadium, not so much. By embracing a national footprint, Kaizer Chiefs are not just chasing crowds – they're reconnecting with their identity. It's a very bold move, and it's aimed at reigniting passion and loyalty across South Africa. In a time when football fans crave authenticity and engagement, Chiefs are taking the game to the people, just as they did in their early days. It's a reminder that their greatness has always come from being more than just a club – they are a movement. IOL Sport * The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media. ** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to [email protected]. Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication). Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
The South African
14 minutes ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates star reportedly receives R44.3m bid from Saudi
Orlando Pirates' Relebohile Mofokeng continues to attract serious attention from abroad, with Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv intensifying their pursuit of the highly-rated youngster. A source close to the negotiations revealed that Tel Aviv remain determined to land the 20-year-old South African, despite previous denials surrounding their reported interest. 'The Yellows' reportedly view Mofokeng as a marquee signing who could ease into European football at Bloomfield Stadium. Maccabi Tel Aviv Sporting Director Dominic Price believes Mofokeng can play a pivotal role in their ongoing football project. Price, who spent years developing talent at Liverpool, including the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones, has set his sights on the Sharpeville-born attacker. The Israeli club's interest isn't new, but its persistence shows no signs of waning. According to the insider, 'Dominic Price wants Mofokeng as part of his long-term plan to strengthen the team and provide a platform into Europe.' Pirates remain reluctant but bigger offers are rolling in Despite the admiration from Tel Aviv, Orlando Pirates haven't been swayed. The Soweto giants reportedly rejected an earlier offer, viewing it as below their valuation. However, a new bid exceeding R44.3 million has now landed, this time from a Middle Eastern club believed to be Al Ettifaq. That offer surpasses what Maccabi Tel Aviv reportedly tabled, as confirmed by Israeli media outlets. Speculation around Mofokeng's future continues to swirl. The Buccaneers have yet to respond publicly to the latest developments, even as pressure mounts both financially and strategically. Last week, multiple reports suggested that Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven planned to outbid all current suitors. However, Pirates were quick to issue a public statement denying any received offer. Sources close to PSV also indicated they had not submitted a formal bid. But confirmed there was intent to explore a potential move. Though no concrete European offers have been tabled. The continued interest from top-flight clubs suggests that it may only be a matter of time before a formal bid arrives. Where should the Orlando Pirates star go? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
How Kaizer Chiefs exposed Orlando Pirates' major weakness
Kaizer Chiefs ended their 10-year trophy drought by defeating Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup final. But how did they achieve this victory? The Buccaneers seemed poised to win multiple trophies, yet a series of poor results cost them both the Betway Premiership and the CAF Champions League. The Nedbank Cup appeared to be their only hope of achieving a double, having already won the MTN8 in October of the previous year. Despite a strong finish to the first half against Chiefs, Orlando Pirates conceded a late goal, marking their first final loss under coach José Riveiro. The two teams clashed three times during the previous season, with the Buccaneers winning both league matches. They secured a 1-0 victory in the first round and controlled the reverse fixture, although a lack of finishing allowed the score to end at 2-1 in favour of Amakhosi. Leading up to the Nedbank Cup final, the Sea Robbers were favourites, given their strong performance in prior matches. However, Kaizer Chiefs' impressive cup run meant they could not be underestimated. An early goal for Amakhosi ignited the final, but Pirates quickly equalised. As the match progressed, Orlando Pirates appeared to be in control, pushing for a lead in the late stages of the first half. However, Chiefs managed to hold on until halftime. Despite dominating possession early in the second half, the Buccaneers struggled to penetrate Kaizer Chiefs' defence, and their energy seemed to wane. The turning point came around the 70th minute when coach Nasreddine Nabi substituted Gaston Sirino and Wandile Duba, both of whom had been ineffective throughout the match. By that point, both teams appeared fatigued, and the match seemed destined for extra time. Amakhosi brought in Ashley Du Preez and Mduduzi Shabalala, who injected new energy into the team. For the first time in the match, Pirates seemed off balance. Their midfield and defence were stretched, and momentum began to shift in favour of the Glamour Boys Despite maintaining pressure on Bucs, poor finishing and decision-making plagued Kaizer Chiefs. Rather than absorbing the pressure, the Buccaneers attempted to build from the back, but tired players kept losing possession. In the 78th minute, Chiefs launched another attack. Just when it seemed that Shabalala had wasted the opportunity by passing to Du Preez, the former Stellenbosch striker played the ball back to Yusuf Maart. The former captain unleashed a first-time volley, regaining the lead for Amakhosi. In the final ten minutes, the Sea Robbers were unable to recover from the shock of the goal, watching in horror as the situation unfolded. First, it highlighted that without Makhehlene Makhaula (who was substituted in the 70th minute), Pirates lack a protective shield for their defence. It also revealed how their defence can be stretched under pressure. When the Buccaneers defend as a cohesive unit, they cover each other's weaknesses well; however, when faced with speedy wingers and strikers, they often find themselves at a disadvantage and struggle in one-on-one defensive situations. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
