Chiefs coach blames Soweto Derby loss on fear as he slams Pirates over ‘dirty tricks’

Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze has identified fear as the primary reason for his team’s dismal performance in their 3-0 Soweto Derby loss to Orlando Pirates on Saturday.

The defeat leaves Chiefs a significant 11 points adrift of the Premier Soccer League leaders.

A dominant Pirates side secured a comprehensive victory with goals from Tshepang Moremi, Oswin Appollis, and Evidence Makgopa. The result marked their largest league win over Chiefs in 25 years and their fifth consecutive top-flight victory against their arch-rivals.

Chiefs were completely outplayed in the opening half, failing to register a single shot and heading into the break with a 2-0 deficit.

Kaze blames derby loss to fear

Oswin Appollis of Orlando Pirates and Pule Mmodi of Kaizer Chiefs. Photo – Orlando Pirates

“In the first half, we were not good at all,” Kaze admitted. “We played with fear; we were not pressing or contesting every 50-50 ball. In the first 15 minutes of the second half, we were better in our pressing game and in trying to find solutions.”

Kaze also expressed his frustration with what he perceived as time-wasting tactics from the opposition, suggesting it disrupted his team’s attempts to build momentum.

“I congratulate Pirates for the three points and for their tricks, falling down all the time,” he stated. “Their goalkeeper (Sipho Chaine) fell down five times and didn’t get substituted. It is experience.”

Chiefs coach slams Pirates’ tactics

Deon Hotto, Tshepang Moremi and Oswin Appollis of Orlando Pirates celebrating a goal. Photo: Orlando Pirates

The loss compounds a miserable run for the Amakhosi, who have now lost four of their last five matches. This period has seen them eliminated from both the CAF Confederation Cup and the Nedbank Cup, with their league title aspirations now appearing all but over.

“The only way to bounce back is to work. We talked to the players and told them now we have a debt to the fans,” Kaze said. “The way to redeem ourselves is to pick up points and show what happened in the derby was an accident and should not have happened.”

He added, “The only way is to keep our heads up, go into the next games and pick up as many points as we can.”