Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has called on his players to approach the highly anticipated Soweto Derby with the right mentality, insisting that league standings and favourite status count for little when the Buccaneers face Kaizer Chiefs.
With both sides carrying the weight of their passionate supporters into one of South African football’s biggest fixtures, Ouaddou believes the derby will demand more than good form, with fighting spirit, pride and determination likely to play a decisive role.
“Being the favourite doesn’t mean you are going to win the game, because football is open. We know that Kaizer Chiefs is a big club, with big fans. We are a big club as well. We are two of the three biggest clubs in Africa, of course,” Ouaddou said.
The Pirates coach stressed that the occasion brings a different kind of pressure, where the players must rise to the challenge and understand the responsibility that comes with representing their respective clubs.
“In a derby, we are not looking at the classification and the log. It’s something different. You have to bring to the table the fighting spirit and the pride of representing your fans,” he added.
Ouaddou also acknowledged the progress made by Kaizer Chiefs, pointing to their recent results and playing philosophy despite the criticism they have faced.
“A lot of people can speak, a lot of people can criticise, but if you see, they are not losing games. They have an interesting game model. We are doing well as well,” he said.
With expectations high on both sides, Ouaddou wants his team to deliver a performance worthy of the occasion and give supporters a positive experience.
“What we want is to give a very good image of football during the derby,” he concluded.
Written by: Sandile Ndumo
