Abdeslam Ouaddou clarifies Abdoulaye Mariko position | OneFootball

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Ouaddou sheds light on Mariko role

Photo: Orlando Pirates @ X

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has clarified Abdoulaye Mariko’s role in the Buccaneers’ set-up, as the Mali international appears to be playing out of position in his early days at the club.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder signed for the Soweto giants from Malian juggernauts Djoliba AC, on the back of scoring 14 goals in the league, which saw him win the coveted Footballer of the season award in his native country.

Mariko, who put pen to paper on a two-year deal, has made five appearances for Pirates thus far this season, starting two of those games. While he was brought in as a playmaker, he often featured as a central midfielder.

This raised question marks over the Malian’s best position in the Sea Robbers’ team. Ouaddou addressed the concerns, stating that while he deploys him in a different position, he is aware of his exploits as a no.10 at Djoliba last season.

“In his previous club, we know that he was a little bit high, more closer to the strikers and you can see that he was the best midfielder and the best player last season [in Mali],” explained the Moroccan mentor.

“We decided to use him a little bit lower, but it doesn’t mean that in the future we cannot use him a little bit up, closer to the strikers.

The former Marumo Gallants tactician went on to highlight Mariko’s versatility in midfield and didn’t completely close the door on the player turning out as an attacking midfielder in the famous black and white jersey.

“I think he is the kind of player that is able to play in any position – as a no.6, no.8 or no.10. I cannot say nine and half [false no.9], I cannot see him in that position, but all these positions in the midfield, I think he has abilities to help us.

“So, I think in the future we can see him a little bit high, depending on the number of players we have, the suspension, the injuries but at the moment we use him in that [ deeper] position.