Orlando Pirates News Today: New striker Pedersen’s Haaland connection revealed & more

Orlando Pirates news, including the fascinating link between new signing Sebastian Pedersen and Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, and a former Buccaneer backing Abdeslam Ouaddou’s tactical shift.

New Pirates signing’s Haaland connection explained

The social media banter dubbing Sebastian Pedersen “Baby Haaland” and “Haaland from Temu” may be tongue-in-cheek, but the two Norwegians share more than blonde hair and a passport, according to ESPN.

Both strikers came through Norway’s youth setup during overlapping periods and Pedersen was in the same squad as the Manchester City star on five separate occasions, per Transfermarkt. Three of those call-ups came in UEFA Euro Under-19 qualification.

However, given that both are centre-forwards, the pair rarely shared the pitch at the same time — the general pattern was that when one came on, the other went off.

The 27-year-old arrives at the Buccaneers from Sogndal Fotball on a two-year deal with an option to extend for a further season. Pirates described their new recruit as a “one-touch finisher rather than a bulldozer,” and his numbers back that up: 51 goals and eight assists in 117 appearances across spells at Moss FK and Sogndal, including eight goals in just 14 league matches before his move to Soweto.

Capable of playing from the left flank as well as through the middle, Pedersen covers two of the three positions vacated by the departed Relebohile Mofokeng, although early indications suggest the coaching staff plan to deploy him as a central striker.

Ouaddou backed to get the best out of Bucs forwards

Former Buccaneers marksman Katlego Mashego is confident that the tactical framework being put in place by head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will address the goal-scoring problems that hampered the Soweto giants last term, according to GOAL.

Evidence Makgopa managed seven goals and four assists in 30 appearances across all competitions last season, while Yanela Mbuthuma registered eight goals in 32 matches. Boitumelo Radiopane failed to find the net in his five outings.

The former Bafana Bafana striker insisted that the club’s internal review has already identified the areas that need fixing.

“Yes, Pirates strikers didn’t score many goals last season, and we have to be honest about that. But I think they still have capable guys who can score next season. I think after the review, they realised what is needed,” Mashego told FARPost.

He also welcomed the arrival of Pedersen, arguing that the departure of top scorer Mofokeng made a new striking option essential.

“If you look at it that way — losing high scorer Mofokeng and Pirates forwards not scoring last season — it makes sense to have a new striker. It’s not bad having three strikers; it still creates competition for places,” he added.