Former Orlando Pirates coach Roger de Sa has told Abdeslam Ouaddou to rethink his selection criteria and pick players who are tailor-made for occasions of the Soweto Derby magnitude when they take on Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.
The two giants cross swords in a Betway Premiership tie at FNB Stadium, in the first derby confrontation of the season. It is a high-stakes affair, with not only bragging rights but maximum points up for grabs.
Crucial for fourth-placed Chiefs would be three points to edge closer to the leading pack of log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and Pirates who are in second spot. Amakhosi have eight points fewer than Masandawana and the Buccaneers, who have 38 points each.
For Pirates, priority is getting back to the top of the table with a win, although Sundowns could reclaim the lead should they beat another title contender, Sekhukhune United, at home on Sunday.
That completes a weekend of clashes between teams in the top four. Interestingly, it will be Pirates coach Abdeslam Oauaddou’s first Soweto Derby, and he has been advised on how to approach the game in terms of team selection.
DERBY PLAYERS: OUADDOU TOLD TO PICK ONLY THOSE CUT FOR THIS TRADITIONAL FIXTURE
“It’s a once-off game, very difficult to punt here. All derbies are like that. That’s what makes it interesting,” De Sa told FARPost.
“The coach is working daily with players and comes up with his best possible XI to play in the derby. There are players who are only derby players. They might not be in form, but when it comes to derby day, you will see them.
“During my time, Lucky Lekgwathi was my derby player. Even when he was off-form, you knew on derby day he would be up there. He might have been at the end of his career, but you could rely on him when it comes to the derby. He was not starting because of Rooi Mahamutsa, but you had to fit him into the derby.
“At Santos, I had Edries Burton. He was always at his best in Cape Derby against Ajax [now Cape Town Spurs]. You might not play such players in other games, but when it comes to a derby, you can’t afford to bench them.
“I’m not sure if Pirates have such players right now. I can’t pick one derby player from this Pirates side because you have to be inside the system to know. I wouldn’t know right now, but I’m sure the coach knows, and he should go for those players.”
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