Pirates Coach Stuns SA With Chiefs Confession

SOWETO DERBY BOMBSHELL! Ouaddou Surprises Chiefs With Praise for Da Cruz Ahead of Saturday’s Clash

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — 29 OCTOBER 2026

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has acknowledged the work being done by his Kaizer Chiefs counterpart Fernando Da Cruz ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated Soweto Derby, adding an intriguing dimension to one of South African football’s biggest rivalries.

The two Soweto giants are preparing for another fiercely contested encounter, with pride, bragging rights and valuable Betway Premiership points at stake. While supporters from both camps will be desperate for victory, Ouaddou’s positive assessment of Da Cruz highlights the respect that exists between the two coaches despite the intense rivalry between their clubs.

The Soweto Derby remains one of the most closely followed fixtures on the South African football calendar, attracting enormous attention from supporters, analysts and the wider football community. Every meeting between Pirates and Chiefs carries significant pressure, with the result often influencing the mood around both clubs.

Ouaddou’s comments are particularly noteworthy because Chiefs have been working to establish greater consistency under Da Cruz. The French coach has faced scrutiny over the team’s performances and results, with supporters expecting improvements from a club determined to return to the top of South African football.

Source https://x.com/iDiskiTimes/status/2115844165556949389

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