Abdeslam Ouaddou addresses Pedersen lack of game time

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has addressed the lack of game time endured by striker Sebastian Pedersen since joining the Buccaneers at the beginning of the season.

The 27-year-old centre-forward was lured from second-tier outfit Sogndal IF in his native Norway, putting pen to paper on a two-year deal with an option to extend for a further year.

He arrived on the back of scoring eight goals and providing a solitary assist in 14 league outings last season - a testament to his scoring prowess as Pirates look to lift the CAF Champions League and defend their crowns.

Pedersen, however, has been limited to just 73 minutes in four appearances across all competitions since joining the Sea Robbers, with Ouaddou revealing the technical team is waiting for the right moment to unleash him.

“There's no issue about Sebastian, I'm happy about his commitment, I'm happy about his integration. We are doing everything to help him, but like I said, we have many strikers in that area,” said the Pirates boss.

"And for sure he's close, he's working very hard in training. We are trying to really give him 90 minutes in the legs with the impact players, and he's doing well. So, I'm just expecting the right moment to bring him in our team.

The Bucs mentor reiterated the importance of affording Pedersen ample time to settle into his new surroundings, and says the former Norway U21 international is edging closer to a regular berth in the matchday squad.

“I'm sure he's somebody who's going to help us, but at the same time, and I already spoke about this, when you come into a new environment, it's very important to bring the player in the right timing,” Ouaddou added.

"I don't want to burn the player, so we have to analyze the right moment to bring him in order to help the team. But he's close, what I'm seeing in training is that he's doing great things.

"And something that is very important as well is that he came in a city where we're at 1700 meters of altitude. So, when you play at the level of the sea and you come in a city where you are playing in the altitude it's not easy. So, all these factors must be taken into consideration and to help the player.

Pirates, meanwhile, are set to host Namibian champions African Stars in the return leg of their CAF Champions League second preliminary round tie at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, taking a 1-0 advantage into the match.

Hlayisani Magoro

Editorfr, en

Football journalist from South Africa covering African football news, exclusive stories and key events while sharing insights with passionate fans of the game.

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