Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has taken the blame for his team’s poor first-half display in the Soweto Derby. The Buccaneers still beat Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 at FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Pirates went into the game as favourites and defending champions. They took the lead in the 24th minute when Yanela Mbuthuma scored. Chiefs equalised six minutes later through Pule Mmodi. At half-time the score was 1-1, and the Amakhosi had created the better chances.

Ouaddou admitted that his tactical plan did not work. He had tried to surprise Chiefs by playing Deon Hotto at right-back. The experiment did not succeed, and he changed things at half-time.

“I think we planned something in the first half, maybe a few surprises, but I think one I’ll take,” Ouaddou said. “For once I won’t blame the players. The one we have to blame for the first half is the coach.”

He added that he got the approach wrong and nearly cost his team the match. “I tried to surprise the opponent with a tactical choice that wasn’t spot on. I could’ve cost the team the game, but thank God we went into half-time at 1-1.”

Ouaddou also noted that Chiefs wasted their opportunities. He said the visitors could have been 3-1 up if they had taken their chances. Instead, Pirates regrouped after the break and took control.

Tshepang Moremi restored the lead in the 55th minute after a quick break. Pirates held on for the win, even after Chiefs finished with ten men following a late red card for Inacio Miguel.

The victory took Pirates to the top of the Betway Premiership table. It was also their seventh league win in a row. Ouaddou said the second half showed the real Pirates – a side that is solid, resilient and able to score when it matters.

Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz was unhappy with the result and with some refereeing decisions. He felt his team should have killed the game in the first half. For Ouaddou, the three points and the bragging rights mattered more than the early struggles. He took the responsibility himself and moved on.

Source: https://x.com/KickOffMagazine/status/2116591146889535906