Coach praises fans and organisers for world-class derby atmosphere

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou feels the team’s high-intensity 2-1 Soweto derby victory over Kaizer Chiefs was a true CAF Champions League group stage test.

The Buccaneers had to work hard at FNB Stadium on Saturday to beat an Amakhosi side that threatened them, especially in the first half.

Goals by Yanela Mbuthuma and Tshepang Moremi saw them emerge victorious in front of a sold-out stadium. Ouaddou said the match felt like a continental fixture and the kind of intensity they will face in the group stages, where they will face Simba SC, RS Berkane and Colombe Sportive.

“If I have to rate this game, yes, it was a Champions League game,” Ouaddou said during the post-match press conference. “You see the intensity, the magnitude, and the fans; it was a Champions League game, let’s say it like that.

“Kaizer Chiefs had the first half to kill the game, and after that, we had our second half.”

Ouaddou acknowledged that Chiefs had the better first half and could have put the game away, but Bucs fought back strongly in the second half after making some tactical changes.

He praised his players after the win and said they needed it after losing the MTN8 title to Mamelodi Sundowns recently.

“Well done for the boys, well done for the fans, they deserve it, and I’m a happy coach,” he said.

Well done for the boys, well done for the fans, they deserve it, and I’m a happy coach.

—  Abdeslam Ouaddou

“Well done to the organisers. I’m very proud when I see such an event in SA. It’s really an example and a model that many African countries must follow.

“What a derby! There is no fighting, and everybody’s 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 SA.”

Ouaddou, who celebrated his 48th birthday on Sunday, also praised Chiefs coach Fernando Da Cruz and his technical team for the progress being made at Naturena and said they cannot be ruled out of the title race yet.

“What I can tell you is that, seeing the game from outside, the technical staff of Kaizer Chiefs are doing a great job.

“We must let them work on implementing their game model. Kaizer Chiefs have a very good team and 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.”