Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has shed light on why he’s not ruling out rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership title race.
Ouaddou has turned Pirates into the hot favourites to dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns, who have won the league for eight successive seasons. In the current campaign, Pirates have been in an impressive run of form, finishing the first round of the 2025/26 season at the summit of the league table.
The Sea Robbers have collected 28 points after winning nine games, drawing one, and losing twice in 12 matches. Pirates are two points ahead of Sundowns, who have 26 points in 13 games.
Following the appointment of Ouaddou as head coach in the off-season, Pirates have been the in-form side in the PSL and could win the league for the first time since 2012.
WHAT OUADDOU SAID ABOUT CHIEFS’ CHANCES IN THE TITLE RACE
On the other hand, Chiefs have had an inconsistent run in the Premiership, which has cast doubt on their potential to be amongst the contenders to win the league. Amakhosi are sitting fourth on the log standings with 24 points after winning six, drawing six, and losing once in 13 games.
Despite shaky performances since the start of the new season, Pirates coach Ouaddou has admitted he’s watching Chiefs as the threat in the league title race, as they are still within reach mathematically.
In the past two seasons, the Glamour Boys finished outside the top eight, a record they hope to improve and fight to compete with other big teams.
“I’m watching two teams [for the title race with Pirates], Sundowns and Chiefs,” Ouaddou said on MSW with Robert Marawa. “Mathematically, it’s still possible for Chiefs to win the league; it’s still open, and we must not forget them.”
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