Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says the defending Betway Premiership champions have now established themselves as a “points machine” after an impressive start to the new season.
Pirates have won six of their opening seven league matches, drawing the other, while scoring 16 goals and conceding just once.
The Buccaneers currently sit second on the log, one point behind Mamelodi Sundowns, although the Brazilians have played a game more.
Ouaddou’s comments come after former Pirates coach Jose Riveiro previously described Sundowns as a “points machine” during his tenure, highlighting the challenge of competing with the perennial league champions.
The Moroccan coach has also faced scrutiny over whether his approach has changed the identity and style of play established under Riveiro, but Ouaddou believes his side are developing an identity built around intensity, discipline and efficiency.
“We had generally a good game, when we finished the first cycle, it’s since the 24th of June, since we started until the first FIFA break, I think my boys did very well,” Ouaddou said.
“I have to give them credit in terms of how we played football, we had some difficult moments in the beginning, but at least we scored many goals and didn’t concede too much.”
The Pirates mentor believes the early results are evidence of a team that has embraced his demands, particularly when it comes to organisation and discipline.
“I think… for now, if I have to give a resume of this first circle, it’s just well done, well done, very positive and in terms of strength, commitment, organisation, in term of discipline, it’s very difficult to play against Pirates,” he added.
Ouaddou then made a bold declaration about the champions’ new mentality, insisting they are no longer looking to chase the teams above them.
“I have to stay very humble with our team but we can say that we became a point machine, it used to be some other teams that are point machine, but this season we are playing our role, our role of the champions and we want to stay there,” he explained.
“We want to assume it, not to chase, we want to be chased, the mentality I want to give to the boys.”
While the Pirates coach acknowledged the importance of collecting points, he also outlined the footballing identity he wants his team to establish.
“To become point machines, to become 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,” Ouaddou concluded.
With Pirates unbeaten and having conceded just once in the league, Ouaddou’s side have made an early statement in their title defence.
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