Ouaddou Demands “Fantastic Show” In Derby’s Title Must-Win
Orlando Pirates coach Abdelsam Ouaddou says his side is under immense pressure to deliver a strong performance against Kaizer Chiefs as they aim to stay in the Betway Premiership title race.
The FNB Stadium will be the centre of attention when the two Soweto giants clash for three crucial points on Saturday.
Pirates, who lost 2-1 to Mamelodi Sundowns in a league match at the Calabash last week, need victory to return to the top of the table — at least for 24 hours — as Sundowns will face Sekhukhune United at Loftus Stadium on Sunday.
Ouaddou’s men dropped to second place after Sundowns edged AmaZulu with a late winner at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday. Sundowns moved to the summit on goal difference, with both sides level on 38 points after 17 matches.
Chiefs, meanwhile, slipped to fourth place with 30 points from 16 matches following their midweek defeat to Stellenbosch. A win for Amakhosi would lift them to third, leapfrogging Sekhukhune.
With only victory acceptable, Ouaddou said his team must put on a good show while reclaiming top spot.
“For us, when we build such an organisation for coaches and players, we want to give fantastic entertainment to the fans,” said Ouaddou, who will be overseeing his first Soweto Derby.
“It is part of our responsibility as coaches to prepare a very good plan and deliver a great show for the people. Of course, results are very important because we need points. We need to win if we want to stay in this title race.
“More than that, it is important to play good football and show quality to all the people coming to the stadium.
“That is what we are aiming to do, but it will not be easy because we are playing against one of the biggest clubs in Africa.
“I hope it will truly be a good show for the supporters.”
Both teams head into the Derby nursing wounds. Chiefs suffered a league defeat to Stellenbosch in their last outing, while Pirates were knocked out of the Nedbank Cup by first-division side Casric Stars.
Interestingly, both sides come into this encounter on the back of two consecutive defeats, raising the stakes even higher for Saturday’s showdown.
