Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has delivered his assessment of new signing Yanela Mbuthuma, who was in action for the Buccaneers during their pre-season camp in Spain.
The Buccaners are the tail end of their pre-season preparations, and the club's 12 new signings have had a chance to impress an equally new Ouaddou.
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Speaking on SuperSportTV after a friendly match against Pafoc, the new man at the helm was asked about his thoughts on Mbuthuma, signed from Richards Bay.
"[Pressing is] one of the instructions of the defensive formation when we are defending.
"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.
"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."
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Mbuthuma still faces stiff competition for a starting position as Evidence Makgopa, Tshegofatso Mabasa, and possibly Zakhele Lepasa will be vying for a spot.
Pirates will return to South African shores over the weekend and will immediately begin preparations for the defence of their MTN8 title.
The cup competition is set to kick off on 2 August, and Pirates will face Polokwane City at Orlando Stadium.
Photo: Orlando Pirates media
