Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has defended Kaizer Chiefs counterpart Fernando da Cruz ahead of a sold-out Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday. The fixture sees fifth-placed Chiefs, on a run of two straight wins, travel to face their second-placed rivals in one of South African football's most anticipated clashes.
Ouaddou, whose Pirates side are unbeaten in the league, offered a measured take on the pressure facing Da Cruz at Naturena. "I think being favourites like I said, doesn't give you the fact that you are going to win the game because football is open," the Moroccan-born coach stated. He argued that derby dynamics override the league table, where Chiefs have 14 points from eight matches.
"And we know that Kaizer Chiefs is a big club, big fans," Ouaddou said. "We are a big club as well."
Ouaddou elaborated on the unique pressure of the derby, stating that the match transcends form. He added that Da Cruz, who took over at Chiefs in pre-season, should be judged over time.
Chiefs' form and derby stakes
Kaizer Chiefs head into the match sitting ninth in the Betway Premiership, nine points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. Their recent form shows two wins, two draws and one loss from their last five outings, a sequence you can review on our standings page. This includes a convincing 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy last weekend, powered by a Wandile Duba hat-trick.
Ouaddou's Pirates, meanwhile, are second with 22 points and also unbeaten. They advanced in the Carling Knockout Cup with a 3-0 win on Tuesday. The coach has demanded pride and rapid improvement from his squad. "We need to improve them quickly," he warned earlier this week. "We don't have time in football. If I'm waiting until December to improve these things, maybe it's too late." He stressed that his team's preparation remains focused despite their strong position.
The derby kicks off at 15:30 on Saturday at a venue already confirmed as a sell-out. For Amakhosi, the match offers a chance to build on their recent winning momentum and close the gap to the league's top two. Stadium officials have confirmed all 94,000 tickets have been sold, promising a formidable atmosphere for what is the first league derby of the season. Both teams will be without key players due to injury, with Pirates missing Thembinkosi Lorch and Chiefs sidelining Itumeleng Khune.
First reported at Briefly
