Soweto derby: Ouaddou warned 'it's going to be difficult' vs Chiefs

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has been told to anticipate a tougher second half of the season, following the recent losses across all competitions.

In the club’s most recent Premier Soccer League outing, the Sea Robbers fell 2-1 against the defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium. It got worse last weekend as his team was eliminated from the Nedbank Cup following their defeat to minnows Casric Stars at the Orlando Amstel Arena.

On Saturday, the former Morocco international will taste his first Soweto derby against traditional rivals Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium. This is a must-win for either team as they push for the PSL crown.

Ouaddou will be under pressure

Andre de Jong Nkosinathi Sibisi and Abdeslam Ouaddou Orlando Pirates — Image – Pirates

“Yes, Ouaddou will be under pressure,” former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye said as quoted by iDiski Times.

“When you lose two games at Orlando Pirates with that kind of quality in the team you will be under pressure. It’s the same situation as [Miguel] Cardoso because Pirates now will want the league. They haven’t won it in a while, they will start doubting you.

“When the season started, he lost to Marumo Gallants and this is the second round of the season, it’s going to be difficult for Ouaddou honestly. He has players, Pirates have signed quality players, but those players need you to coordinate them from outside,” he added.

Bucs don’t expect Ouaddou to lose against Chiefs

'He should have signed for Chiefs instead': Tso Vilakazi on Pirates new signing

“If he knows the history of the derby, such things will happen,” Orlando Pirates legend Benedict Vilakazi opined.

“The games leading up to the derby one of the two teams always loses those games and unfortunately for coach Ouaddou he lost against Mamelodi Sundowns. So, Pirates supporters they don’t expect him to lose against Kaizer Chiefs.

“Maybe he can get away with losing to Casric but I know they didn’t expect to lose that game as well because it’s not easy to go to the Arena and come out alive. But Casric went there and came out alive drinking water and juice. That’s an unusual thing to happen,” he concluded.