Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made a bold prediction following his side’s 2-1 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in Saturday’s high-octane Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium, insisting Amakhosi cannot be written off from the Betway Premiership title race.
The hard-fought win moved Pirates to second on the Premiership standings with 25 points, trailing leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by a single point, with the Brazilians having played an extra match. Meanwhile, Chiefs remain in fifth position with 14 points from their opening nine league fixtures.
Despite taking maximum points, Ouaddou refused to dismiss Amakhosi’s championship credentials, praising Fernando Da Cruz and his technical team for the progress being made at Naturena.
And even with Chiefs languishing in fifth place—11 points adrift of defending champions Pirates and 12 behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns after nine matches—the Bucs mentor insists Amakhosi are still in the title hunt.
Addressing journalists post-match, the Moroccan tactician urged patience for Da Cruz as he continues to shape his squad.
OUADDOU’S VERDICT ON KAIZER CHIEFS UNDER DA CRUZ
“What I can tell you is that, seeing the game from outside, the technical staff of Kaizer Chiefs are doing a great job,” Ouaddou said. “We must let them work on implementing their game model. Kaizer Chiefs have a very good team, very good young players. In my opinion, they’re on the right path. We don’t have to rule them out of the title race. This is a big club with big fans, and this technical team is doing a great job.
Asked whether the intense atmosphere and quality of Saturday’s showdown served as ideal preparation for continental football, Ouaddou drew direct parallels between the two stages.
SOWETO DERBY AS CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREPARATION
“If I have to rate this game, yes, it was a Champions League game,” Ouaddou noted. “Kaizer Chiefs had the first half to kill the game, and after that, we had our second half. You see the intensity, the magnitude, and the fans—it was a Champions League game, let’s say it like that.”
The Sea Robbers have been drawn into a demanding CAF Champions League group stage alongside Cameroon’s Colombe Sportive, Tanzanian giants Simba SC, and Moroccan outfit RS Berkane.
Beyond the tactical contest, the Pirates mentor expressed deep admiration for the unique atmosphere created by both sets of supporters at FNB Stadium.
“Well done to the organisers. I’m very proud when I see such an event in South Africa. It’s really an example and a model that many African countries must follow,” he added.
“What a derby! There is no fighting, and everybody is watching the game together. It’s the first time I’ve seen this in my life. Of course there is rivalry, but the fans are watching together. It’s just fantastic and unique to South Africa.”
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