Latest news with #Ouaddou
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Orlando Pirates' Abdeslam Ouaddou lauds new forward's performance after pre-season tour
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou (pictured) praised forward Yanela Mbuthuma's performance in their 2-0 pre-season victory over Granada, highlighting his effective pressing and the team's progress under Ouaddou's new defensive strategy. Picture: Alche Greef/BackpagePix 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
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Orlando Pirates' Abdeslam Ouaddou lauds new forward's performance after pre-season tour
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou (pictured) praised forward Yanela Mbuthuma's performance in their 2-0 pre-season victory over Granada, highlighting his effective pressing and the team's progress under Ouaddou's new defensive strategy. Picture: Alche Greef/BackpagePix 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
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ouaddou hopes Spain victory will boost Pirates confidence
'I think it is good because it helps the guys in terms of confidence to end with a victory," said Ouaddou. Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says the Buccaneers are keen to play at home in front of their supporters after victory in Spain on Saturday. This comes after Pirates ended their preseason tour of Spain with a 2-0 win over Granada at the Marbella Sport Centre. READ MORE: Pirates end Spanish tour with victory over Granada Goals in the second half from Patrick Maswanganyi and Relebohile Mofokeng gave the Buccaneers their first victory in their preseason camp in Spain. Pirates had lost 2-0 to Bolton Wanderers in their first game in Spain and that loss was followed by draws against Pafos FC and Las Palmas. Ouaddou says despite their failure to win their previous matches, he always knew that the Buccaneers would turn things around. 'I had all the time the trust from my players and we tried with my staff to give them confidence, to play, to train well, to give efforts and to stay united. And step by step, we finished this camp with a victory,' Ouaddou told Pirates media. Pirates confident ahead of City clash Ouaddou added that their victory against Granada would give his players confidence ahead of the MTN8 quarter final clash against Polokwane City at home at Orlando Stadium on 2 August. 'I think it is good because it helps the guys in terms of confidence to end with a victory. 'For me, I was not worried because of what we have seen since the beginning here in terms of training, in terms of football and the aim to go forward to create the chances we had. 'We are going to give some rest to the players, but we are very impatient to go back to Johannesburg to play in front of our fans who are waiting for us. They want to see this new team. They want to see them play, and we can't wait to see them and play in front of them,' said Ouaddou. Meanwhile, the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has released the provisional fixtures for the 2025/26 Betway Premiership season. ALSO READ: Sundowns' Ribeiro wins Club World Cup goal of the tournament Pirates are set to kick off the 2025/26 season against Sekhukhune United at home on 9 August. They will then meet Marumo Gallants away 12 August before they host Stellenbosch FC on 19 August. A week later they will play newly-promoted Orbit College at Orlando Stadium. Pirates will finish the month of August with a clash against Chippa United at Buffalo City Stadium. Pirates first five fixtures*: 9 August: Sekhukhune United (H) 12 August: Marumo Gallants (A) 20 August: Stellenbosch FC (H) 26 August: Orbit College (H) 31 August: Chippa United (A) *These are provisional fixtures and are subject to change
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
High praise for Orlando Pirates from former Barcelona and Atlético Madrid international
He also added, "Pirates are one of the top teams in South Africa. It was a great match because of their physical style. Playing against them is helpful for us, especially in our first week of training and having our first friendly match." He mentioned, "It was a good test for us to keep improving and get fit for the championship (Spanish 2nd Division). Orlando Pirates are a very physical team, showing good rhythm, strong individual skills, and effective football." Garcia, a former winger for Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, had some nice words for Orlando Pirates after the match. UD LAS Palmas head coach Luis Garcia praised Orlando Pirates after their goalless draw on Thursday night at the Estadio Municipal Antonio Lorenzo Cuevas in Marbella, Spain. SINOXOLO Kwayiba is one of the new Orlando Pirats signings on a mission to impress in the Preseason Tour of Spain. | OrlandoPirates Pirates' new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou said his team struggled to handle the high-pressing game from the Spaniards. "Today's game was not easy," Ouaddou said. "We can say we were chasing the ball; we played against the most pressing team. So, it's a positive takeaway even if we didn't have much of the ball." He mentioned, "I found a strong team spirit, and we're going to need that as the season goes on, especially when we're playing away in the Champions League. We need to focus on the positives." Pirates kicked off their pre-season tour with a 2-0 loss to Bolton Wanderers from England, followed by a 1-1 draw against Cypriot club Pafos earlier this week. This pre-season tour is all about gearing up for the upcoming league campaign. Pirates are eager to shake off their bridesmaid title from the past three seasons. Their recent signings show they're serious about challenging Mamelodi Sundowns, who have been the top dogs in the Premiership for the last eight seasons. As Sundowns prepare for the 2025/26 Betway Premiership campaign, boosted by their FIFA Club World Cup experience, Pirates are looking to take the crown from them. Ouaddou's first challenge is to defend the MTN8 title- the cup that has served as the Buccaneers' springboard for a fruitfull season for the past three years, under former head coach Jose Riveiro. Ouaddou's first official match incharge will be against unpredictable Polokwane City at the Orlando Stadium on August 2. As the result of Riveiro's Pirates' owning of the MTN8 title, nothing less will be expected by The Ghost this season. Winning the MTN8 or at least going as far as the final, would go a long way for Ouaddou into not only endearing himself to passionate Pirates' supporters but also gaining himself recognition and respect in South African football. Pirates continue their Preseason Spain Tour with a match against Granada in Marbella Football Center on Saturday night.
TimesLIVE
15-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Ouaddou aims to mould teen defender Mbokazi into a leader at Pirates
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says Mbekezeli 'TLB' Mbokazi is one of the 'big men' of his team, hence the 19-year-old defensive prodigy was the only player fielded for 90 minutes, captaining the side for part of the game, against Cypriot champions Pafos. The teen wearing the armband as Bucs drew 1-1 in their friendly on Sunday at Marbella Football Centre as part of their preseason camp in Spain signified his future leadership prospects for the Soweto giants, new coach Ouaddou said. 'Mbokazi is one of the big men of this team. He's a South African, he's proud of what he's doing and we're proud of him. He had a good game,' Ouaddou said after the game. 'It's normal we give him the captaincy. Step by step, we want to give him more time because he's going to be one of the main men this season and that's why we gave him that responsibility.
