Warning to Chiefs? Ouaddou admits Pirates are clear derby favourites as he demands ‘arrogance’

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou admits that his team are favourites in the Soweto derby against Kaizer Chiefs, who they face on Saturday.

The two bitter rivals will face off at the FNB Stadium on Saturday and Pirates head into the match second on the log with 22 points from eight matches, eight more than fifth-placed Chiefs.

While Chiefs have won just three of their eight games, drawing five, Pirates have seven wins and a single draw, making them firm favourites to win the match.

Ouaddou says he cannot run away from that status and wants his team to embrace in a positive way to secure maximum points.

Ouddou calls for positive arrogance

“It is another game. We didn’t lose last season [against Chiefs], but for me, what we achieved last season is in the past,” Ouaddou, whose two derbies last season saw his team won 3-0 before a 1-1 draw said on Thursday, as per FARPost.

“Well done to the boys, but we have to move on because football is always moving. It is a new season with new targets, and we have to plan properly for Chiefs. We need to have that positive arrogance.

“We have to accept this position of being favourites because we are the champions. We have to embrace it. But at the same time, we are playing against a team [Chiefs] with a new coach [Fernando Da Cruz].”

Pirates coach warns against complacency

However, while he is embracing being favourites, Ouaddou insists that alone is not enough to win the game as his players must put their best foot forward and avoid complacency to win.

“Yes, we are the favourites—clear favourites—but being favourites does not guarantee you a win,” Ouaddou cautioned,” he added.

“Chiefs have a new coach, new energy, and new ideas, and they are doing a good job. So it is up to us to come with a lot of energy, execute our plan, and deliver a good game of football for the South African fans.”