Orlando Pirates News Today: Pedersen arrival sparks fan frenzy, Ouaddou pinpoints Bucs’ next challenge & more

Orlando Pirates news, as new signing Sebastian Pedersen’s arrival in South Africa continues to generate excitement among the Buccaneers’ faithful, while Abdeslam Ouaddou has identified the area his side must sharpen.

Pedersen’s arrival in Mzansi delights Pirates fans

Orlando Pirates’ Norwegian recruit Sebastian Pedersen has not even trained with his new teammates yet, but his arrival in Johannesburg has already become one of the biggest talking points among the club’s supporters.

The 24-year-old’s partner, Maristo, has been documenting the couple’s move on social media, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at their first days in South Africa. One post showed her posing in front of the Nelson Mandela statue at Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton, while another captured fans queuing up to take photographs with the striker.

The couple also received an official welcome from the Norwegian Embassy in Pretoria, which added to what has been a warm reception since Pedersen completed his move from Sogndal Fotball.

Pirates supporters have been equally enthusiastic. During a recent Betway Premiership fixture at Orlando Amstel Arena, sections of the crowd broke into the Norwegian-inspired “Row” celebration in anticipation of their new frontman finally pulling on the black and white shirt.

Ouaddou identifies Pirates’ main issue

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has pinpointed his side’s lack of a clinical edge as the main issue to address, despite the Buccaneers progressing to the MTN8 semi-final with a 2-1 extra-time win over Durban City at Orlando Amstel Arena.

Patrick Maswanganyi opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half, before Durban City levelled in the second period to send the tie into extra time. Pirates eventually found a way through thanks to a goal from new signing Gamphani Lungu, sparing his side a penalty shootout.

Speaking to SuperSport TV after the match, as per FARPost, Ouaddou made clear that he does not see Durban City’s low block as the root of the problem: “It was just a question of time; football is not an exact science, but we have more probabilities to win this game if we continued to push, have our full backs pushing high and show some attacking football.”

He added that his side simply needs to be more ruthless in front of goal: “Some people think we have a problem with a low block. I don’t think so. I think we had chances, but we need to convert them; this is the problem.”