Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has declared his team the expected winners for the coming Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs. Pirates are positioned near the top of the league table, while their rivals are lower down and have failed to defeat the Buccaneers in several recent league contests. Kaizer Chiefs currently sit 5th in the Premier Soccer League on 14 points after eight games, with three wins and five draws.
Ouaddou spoke following a midweek cup victory, recognizing the burden of being tipped to win. He remarked that players must earn the right to represent a major club. The coach encouraged a confident mindset in his squad but noted that their table position alone would not secure a result.
Kaizer Chiefs approach the match having recently ended a sequence of draws with a convincing league win. This result moved them up the standings, though they remain some distance behind both the league leaders and their upcoming opponents. They are nine points behind the league leaders and face a Pirates side that is 2nd in the table. Their recent form over the last five games shows two wins, two draws and a loss, and they are on a two-game winning run following a 3-0 victory over TS Galaxy on Tuesday 27 October and a 1-0 win over Red Arrows on Friday 23 October.
Ouaddou remains undefeated in past matches against Chiefs. He mentioned that the arrival of a new head coach at their rivals has injected new vitality. Pirates' staff have planned detailed review meetings to examine their recent displays and correct mistakes.
The mental preparation of his players was a key point for Ouaddou. He emphasized that conduct and core principles are essential for success at a club like Pirates. He stated that without values, pride is key, adding that respect for the club's symbols is fundamental to competing effectively.
Chiefs will rely on an attacker who recently netted three times in a match to pose a scoring danger. Wandile Duba scored all three goals in the 3-0 win over TS Galaxy. Their current run of form includes a mix of results, and they have found the net a number of times in the league so far, having scored 13 goals while conceding eight this season. Their top scorer this season is M. Shabalala with two goals in five appearances.
The derby at FNB Stadium is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. This initial league meeting of the campaign gives Kaizer Chiefs an opportunity to reduce the distance to their long-time foes when they visit Orlando Pirates on Saturday 31 October.
First reported at Briefly News
