Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has demonstrated that football rivalry does not have to come at the expense of professional respect after previously defending Kaizer Chiefs counterpart Fernando da Cruz, despite the Glamour Boys suffering a 2-1 defeat in Saturday’s Soweto Derby at FNB Stadium.

Ouaddou’s positive assessment of Da Cruz came during the pre-match media conference on Thursday, 29 October, when the Pirates coach was asked about the criticism surrounding his opposite number at Naturena. Rather than joining the growing debate about Chiefs’ performances, the Moroccan tactician acknowledged the work being done by the Frenchman and pointed to his team’s competitive performances.

The Pirates coach made it clear that he believed Da Cruz deserved recognition for the football identity he was trying to establish at Chiefs.

“They are doing well because 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,” Ouaddou explained.

His comments were particularly interesting because Da Cruz had been facing questions about Chiefs’ inconsistent performances, including their tendency to collect draws rather than victories in the league. Ouaddou’s assessment suggested that he was looking beyond public frustration and considering the bigger picture of the opposition coach’s work.

However, Saturday’s encounter provided a different challenge for Da Cruz. Pirates entered the match determined to protect their position among the leading teams in the Betway Premiership, while Chiefs were hoping to make a statement against their biggest rivals.

The Buccaneers eventually secured a 2-1 victory, with Yanela Mbuthuma opening the scoring before Pule Mmodi brought Chiefs level. Tshepang Moremi then restored Pirates’ advantage in the second half, scoring what proved to be the decisive goal.

The result was significant for Ouaddou’s team, which continued its impressive league form and recorded a seventh consecutive Premiership victory. For Chiefs, however, the defeat represented their first league loss of the campaign and ended their unbeaten run.

Despite the contrasting outcomes, Ouaddou’s earlier comments remain an interesting part of the story. Coaching at a club as demanding as Kaizer Chiefs comes with enormous expectations, particularly because supporters want to see consistent performances and trophies.

Da Cruz is still working to establish his preferred approach at Naturena, and matches against Pirates provide an important measure of where his team stands. The derby defeat will undoubtedly raise further questions, but it should not automatically erase the progress made during the earlier stages of the campaign.

For Pirates supporters, the victory provides another reason to believe in Ouaddou’s project. His team has demonstrated the ability to produce results in high-pressure fixtures, something that becomes increasingly important when competing for the league title.

For Chiefs supporters, the challenge is now to see how Da Cruz responds to this setback. The Frenchman needs to turn the disappointment into motivation and ensure that the team does not allow one derby defeat to affect its confidence in upcoming matches.

Ultimately, the relationship between these two coaches adds another interesting dimension to South African football. While the rivalry between Pirates and Chiefs remains fierce, Ouaddou’s recognition of Da Cruz’s work shows that professional respect can exist even between opponents competing for the same honours.

The next chapter will be written on the pitch, where both coaches will continue their respective battles for success.

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