Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has demanded efficiency in front of goal despite his team enjoying a six-game winning streak as they set to enter the CAF Champions League group stage with a prolific attack.
The Buccaneers will kick-start the group stage of the continental campaign against Steve Barker’s Simba SC at the end of November. They will also face Moroccan side RS Berkane and Colombe Sportive from Cameroon in their pool.
Since winning the Champions League in 1995, Pirates have been battling to emulate that feat. Ouaddou is now the man entrusted by the club to lead them to continental glory. In his war chest, the French-Moroccan has the likes of Yanela Mbuthuma, Evidence Makgopa, Boitumelo Radiopane and Sifiso Luthuli as his strikers.
ABDESSLAM OUADDOU ISSUES BOLD CHALLENGE TO PIRATES STRIKERS
Since losing 2-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final, Pirates recovered to score 13 goals in six games across different competitions. But Ouaddou is still not satisfied with their goal returns.
“It’s not new. It’s not only us, but a problem for many teams around the world to be efficient in the two boxes. You know why strikers are the most expensive in the world? It’s because of that,” Ouaddou told the media before using humour to further explain his point.
“That’s why I was very cheap as a defender because I was not scoring goals. I’m looking to the Champions League with these games I’m looking forward to,” the former Fulham and Morocco defender added.
“We could have been more efficient because we create these big chances. I don’t want to be hard on the boys, but it’s an area we definitely need to continue [working on].
“We cannot step down, and we have to continue with the IDPs [individual development plans] with the strikers and hope that we are going to score more goals.”
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