Orlando Pirates FC head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has taken responsibility for a tactical misstep involving Relebohile Mofokeng that he believes hurt his team in a important 2-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns. The loss on Wednesday night at FNB Stadium saw the Buccaneers' lead at the Betway Premiership summit trimmed to just three points, with their rivals holding a game in hand.
Ouaddou's admission centred on his decision to deploy the in-form Mofokeng in a wider channel instead of his recent, highly effective role as a central attacking midfielder. The 21-year-old had been named Player of the Match in three consecutive games, racking up three goals and two assists from the number ten position. Against Sundowns, he was instructed to rotate positions with Oswin Appollis, a plan Ouaddou now concedes may have backfired.
Why did moving Mofokeng out wide fail?
Abdeslam Ouaddou praised Mofokeng's football intelligence and versatility, noting the player is accustomed to operating on the flank. "I have already spoken about the qualities of Rele. He’s clever and can play two or three positions in modern football," the coach said. However, he identified a key difference in the player's effectiveness. When pushed out wide, the touchline limits him to a "half-scan," drastically reducing his time and space to influence the game.
Ouaddou reflected that constant positional changes can unsettle a player who has found a rhythm. "I know that today, we moved him a lot." he stated. The coach acknowledged he allowed the swaps to create a surprise element but ultimately changed Mofokeng's role too frequently during the match.
How will Pirates address this in training?
The tactical lesson from the Sundowns match will inform Orlando Pirates' preparation. Ouaddou said the coaching staff can help Mofokeng by replicating high-pressure scenarios in training to accelerate his decision-making. He noted that top-level football offers less time on the ball, and for a player with a low centre of gravity like Mofokeng, practicing under intense pressure is essential to develop those quick, instinctive choices. This focused training will be part of maintaining their strong early-season form, which sees them top the Premier Soccer League table with 13 points from five games.
What is the broader context of this result?
The defeat carries significant weight in the title race. While Orlando Pirates remain first, their cushion over Sundowns is now precarious. The team's overall performance this season, however, provides a solid foundation. They have scored 12 goals while conceding only once, giving them a formidable +11 goal difference. You can track their progress and the evolving league picture on our standings page.
Looking ahead, integrating lessons from this setback will be vital. The squad's depth and quality, detailed on our squad page, offer Ouaddou multiple options. The immediate focus shifts to correcting the tactical error and ensuring their key playmaker is positioned to dominate. Mihlali Baleka, senior football reporter for Independent Media and a panelist on The D-Line soccer podcast, covered the post-match analysis. The next fixture for Pirates is a chance to immediately bounce back and reassert their authority at the top of the table.
