sportskeeda
Marumo Gallants’ coach Abdeslam Ouaddou asserts that their continuation in the Betway Premiership depends on winning two more matches, following their 1-0 loss to Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals on Sunday.
At present, Gallants are positioned 12th in the league standings with 26 points from 24 matches, only three points ahead of SuperSport United, who are at the bottom of the table.
“We feel somewhat relieved as the pressure was intense, but we are not in the clear yet. Teams like Cape Town City and SuperSport United are close behind us, and the landscape can shift quickly.
“We intend to take some time to recover, but it’s vital that we keep putting in the effort since our situation remains precarious. Next week’s game against Golden Arrows will be challenging—they are also in search of points and have a new coach to inspire them.
“Thus, we must stay focused, as our job is far from complete. With Royal AM now out of the running, all teams that faced them will gain points, meaning we truly need two wins to secure our safety,” Ouaddou remarked.
The 46-year-old noted that the early goal they conceded, which ultimately determined the outcome of the match, disrupted their original game plan.
“We had two phases for Marumo Gallants; we aimed to start strong, recognizing Orlando Pirates’ talented squad,” he detailed.
“They frequently crowd the ball area, especially on the wings, bolstering their numbers in the final third. The intention was to maintain solidity in the first half and then allow for more offensive play in the second half.
“Regrettably, the early goal completely changed our strategy, forcing us to adapt our system.”
The Bloemfontein-based side will aim to earn three points as they host Golden Arrows at Dr Molemela Stadium this Saturday at 15:00.
Article by Kamogelo Ndlovu
