Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has addressed Sebastian Pedersen’s limited game time, insisting there are no issues with the striker while praising his attitude and integration into the squad.
Addressing journalists at a press conference at Orlando Amstel Arena on Thursday, Ouaddou responded to a question about Pedersen.
The 27-year-old arrived at the Soweto giants from Norwegian second-tier side Sogndal FC at the start of the 2026/27 season. But he has struggled to command a starting spot in Ouaddou’s team after arriving at the club with high expectations on him.
Yet to start any game at Pirates, Pedersen has managed just four appearances in the Betway Premiership and MTN8, all cameos off the bench. He is also yet to score or provide an assist.
Selected ahead of the former Norway youth international are Yanela Mbuthuma, Boitumelo Radiopane and Evidence Makgopa, who recently returned from injury to add more competition upfront.
‘WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING TO HELP PEDERSEN’: OUADDOU
The Pirates coach has refused to blame Pedersen for his slow integration, insisting the striker is close to becoming a regular.
“There is no issue with Sebastien. I’m happy with his commitment, I’m happy with his integration. We are doing everything to help him, but as I said, we have many strikers in that area,” Ouaddou told journalists. “For sure, he is close. He is working very hard in training. We are trying to give him 90 minutes in the legs with impact players, and he is doing well.
“So, I’m just expecting the right moment to bring him into our team. I’m sure he is somebody who is going to help us. But at the same time, I already spoke about how, when you come into a new environment, it’s very important to bring the player in at the right time.
“I don’t want to blame the player, so we have to analyse the right moment to bring him in order to help the team. But he is close. What I’m seeing in training, he is doing great things.”
OUADDOU EXPLAINS WHY PEDERSEN HAS STRUGGLED TO SETTLE DOWN
With Pirates eager to make a mark in this season’s CAF Champions League, the signing of Pedersen was expected to give Pirates a different dimension upfront and add more bite in their attack. Ouaddou has identified altitude as one of the major reasons why Pedersen has struggled to adapt.
“Something that is very important as well is that he came to a city where we have 1,700 metres of altitude,” Ouaddou explained.
“So when you play at the level of the sea, you come from a country where you were at the level of the sea, and you come to a city where you are playing at an altitude, it’s not easy. So, all these factors must be taken into consideration to help the player.”
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