Ouaddou says Pirates’ slow start almost cost them Soweto Derby victory

Abdeslam Ouaddou admitted Orlando Pirates’ lacklustre first-half display nearly cost them victory over Kaizer Chiefs in last Saturday’s Betway Premiership Soweto Derby.

Pirates recovered after the interval to beat their rivals 2-1 at a sold-out FNB Stadium, securing the bragging rights and three points after being placed under significant pressure early in the match.

Ouaddou’s decision to select young players Simphiwe Masilela, Mpho Padime and Thapelo Mokobodi for their first appearances in the biggest fixture on the local football calendar initially appeared risky. However, the bold selection ultimately produced the desired result as Pirates improved markedly in the second half.

Chiefs had opportunities to establish a decisive lead before the break, but failed to convert them.

“They had [the] opportunity to kill the game in the first half. They could have easily come with maybe 3-1 in the first half, [but] they did not take the opportunity. Unfortunately, when you don’t take the opportunity to win the game, you give the opponents opportunity to adjust. We came in the second half and we killed them,” said Ouaddou.

The Pirates manager attributed his side’s early shortcomings to inexperience, while also highlighting the positive qualities brought by a youthful squad.

“Well done to the boys. It’s not easy to win the Derby. As I told you, we have the second-youngest [team] in the PSL. We have seen lack of experience in the first half. I told you when you are young, you can have some creativity, some freshness, but on the other hand to manage this magnitude of his game, you need experience.”

The victory was particularly important for Pirates’ supporters after the club lost the MTN fixture. Ouaddou said he understood the significance of the rivalry and regarded the result as a gift to the fans.

“But I am very proud because it’s not easy to win [a] derby. We lost the MTN, so I think it was important for our fans to win that one because they were disappointed about that. I know the derby means a lot to them. It’s a gift for them,” added Ouaddou, who turned 48 on Sunday.