Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has admitted that his tactical decisions contributed to the team's difficult first-half performance during the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday.

Despite guiding the Buccaneers to a 2-1 victory, the coach openly acknowledged that his initial approach did not work as expected and could have cost his team the match.

Reflecting on the opening half, Ouaddou explained that he had attempted to surprise Chiefs with his tactical choices but later realised that some of his decisions were not effective.

“I tried to surprise the opponent, making some tactical choice that were not spot on. I think coach Ouaddou put in trouble his team in the first half.

“I could have cost the game but sometimes you have to be honest to see it.

"But thanks God we came at the half-time with 1-1. It was time make some tactical adjustment, we changed some players as well."

The Pirates coach's comments showed his willingness to accept responsibility for the team's early struggles rather than place the blame entirely on the players.

With the score level at 1-1 at half-time, Ouaddou made tactical adjustments and introduced changes to his lineup in an attempt to improve the team's performance.

Those decisions helped Pirates approach the second half differently, eventually securing a 2-1 victory over their biggest rivals.

The result was an important achievement for the Buccaneers, who ended Kaizer Chiefs' unbeaten run and claimed the bragging rights in the first Soweto Derby of the Betway Premiership season.

Ouaddou's admission has also provided insight into the tactical challenges behind the derby victory, highlighting how adjustments during the match played a role in the final outcome.

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