Ouaddou backs Kaizer Chiefs to remain in title race after Soweto showdown

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has refused to dismiss Kaizer Chiefs’ title chances, praising their technical team and insisting the club should be given time to establish its playing model.

Ouaddou was speaking after a match he described as an important showcase for South African football. Despite the result, he said Pirates would not allow the occasion to distract them from the separate demands of their various competitions.

“Look – I think we don’t have to mix the things, you know. Champions League is Champions League, the league is the league, and we focus game by game,” Ouaddou said.

The Pirates coach also offered strong support for Fernando da Cruz and the Kaizer Chiefs technical team. Having observed Chiefs from outside, Ouaddou felt their work was producing encouraging signs and that the club’s approach should be allowed to develop.

“What I can tell you; seeing the game from outside, this technical team of Kaizer Chiefs are doing a great job, we must let them work, implement their game model, this Chiefs has a good team with young players.”

Ouaddou went further by warning against removing Chiefs from consideration in the race for the title. His comments came from the coach of one of the club’s fiercest rivals, giving added significance to his assessment as the competition at the top of the table continues.

“I think they are on the right path, we don’t need to write them out from the title race – this is a big club, this is a big club with big fans, and this technical team is doing a great job.”

The two sides had contrasting periods during the match, with Chiefs holding the advantage before Pirates grew into the contest after the interval.

“Both teams had their half; they had the first half to kill the game and in the second half was us,” Ouaddou said.

He also praised the event’s organisers and suggested the occasion provided an example for football across the continent.

“It was a Champions League game and well done for the organisers, I’m very proud to see such an event in South Africa. A model that African countries must watch.”

Ouaddou’s immediate focus now shifts away from the Champions League and back to domestic cup football. Orlando Pirates will face Sekhukhune United in the Carling Knockout Cup on Friday at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

The Pirates manager’s comments combined praise for Chiefs with a reminder that his own side must maintain a competition-by-competition focus. He said the club would continue approaching its schedule one match at a time, while acknowledging the quality and potential within the Kaizer Chiefs squad.