Gallants Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou Targets Points Over Performance In Relegation Battle

French-Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has, for the time being at least, steered struggling Marumo Gallants FC clear of the relegation zone.

On Saturday, Ouaddou, the former Moroccan national team captain, guided Gallants to a slender 1-0 win over beleaguered Cape Town City on their home turf. It was a terrific victory after Gallants held out bravely to protect an early lead, thanks to the striking instincts of Malawian forward Gabadinho Mhango, who scored in the seventh minute.

City, who fielded a stronger side on paper at least was unable to recover from that setback. Midway through the second half, City made a raft of changes in the hope of scoring. Gallants also introduced substitutes who were tasked with preserving the lead.

Ouaddou was not entirely pleased with his side's playing style, but he emphasized that the most important thing was securing match points.

It was not an easy game against very good players with big talent, said Ouaddou, who was in charge of only his fifth game at Gallants.