Ouaddou urges Orlando Pirates to embrace favourites tag ahead of Soweto derby

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has urged his players to embrace their status as favourites ahead of their highly anticipated Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs, while warning that their opponents’ new management and players could pose a significant challenge.

The two South African giants will meet at the sold-out FNB Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 13:00 GMT, as they renew one of African football’s most celebrated rivalries.

Ouaddou believes Pirates must approach the encounter with confidence and the mentality of champions, but has cautioned against underestimating a Chiefs side eager to make its mark in the fixture.

“We need to have positive arrogance, we have to accept this position as favourites as champions. We must accept it but we’re playing against new management, new players. To be favourite doesn’t mean you will win. There’s new energy,” Ouaddou said.

The Pirates coach’s comments underline the balance his team must strike between confidence and caution as they prepare for a derby in which form and reputation can count for little once the action begins.

Pirates will be expected to demonstrate the authority associated with their status as champions, but Ouaddou is aware that Chiefs’ changing personnel and fresh energy could make the contest difficult to predict.

The Soweto derby is one of South Africa’s biggest football occasions, bringing together two clubs with large and passionate fan bases. Matches between the sides often carry significance beyond league points, with bragging rights and the expectations of supporters adding to the pressure.

For Pirates, the challenge will be to translate their status into a convincing performance on the pitch. Ouaddou’s reference to “positive arrogance” suggests he wants his players to believe in their ability without allowing that confidence to become complacency.

Chiefs, meanwhile, will have the opportunity to test their rivals in front of a packed FNB Stadium, where the atmosphere is expected to reflect the importance of the occasion.

With both teams seeking to make a statement, the encounter promises another compelling chapter in a rivalry that continues to capture the attention of South African football supporters and audiences across the continent.