PLS: Abdeslam Ouaddou praises Kaizer Chiefs and urges patience with technical team

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has praised Kaizer Chiefs and their technical team, insisting that the Soweto giants remain contenders in the title race.

Ouaddou believes Chiefs coach Fernando da Cruz and his backroom staff are making good progress and should be given time to implement their football philosophy.

Speaking after the two sides’ meeting, the Pirates boss was keen to separate his team’s ambitions in different competitions, emphasising the importance of approaching each fixture independently.

“We don’t have to mix things. The Champions League is the Champions League, the league is the league, and we focus game by game,” he said.

Ouaddou then offered an assessment of Chiefs, praising the work being done by Da Cruz and his technical team.

“Seeing the game from outside, this technical team of Kaizer Chiefs are doing a great job. We must let them work and implement their game model. Chiefs have a good team with young players,” he added.

The Moroccan-born coach also dismissed suggestions that Chiefs should be ruled out of the title race, highlighting the club’s history, supporters and quality within the squad.

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

He also reflected on the contest between the two rivals, believing both sides enjoyed periods of dominance.

“Both teams had their half. They had the first half to kill the game, and in the second half it was us.

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

Pirates will now turn their attention to the Carling Knockout Cup, where they are scheduled to face Sekhukhune United on Friday at the Orlando Amstel Arena.