Orlando Pirates Coach Shares Moment With Thierry Henry After Soweto Derby

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou celebrated his side’s 2-1 Soweto derby victory over Kaizer Chiefs by sharing a warm message about a special guest at FNB Stadium: French football great Thierry Henry.

In an Instagram post published on Saturday, October 31, Ouaddou shared photos with Henry, who attended the match as a global ambassador for Betway.

The former Arsenal and France striker was welcomed by the crowd and took in the atmosphere of one of African football’s most closely followed rivalries.

“Happy to see my brother Thierry Henry attending the Soweto derby. Always kind words, encouragements. A real gentlemen. One of the greatest football player.”

The result gave Pirates derby bragging rights and sent their supporters home celebrating after a tense, eventful contest. Yanela Mbuthuma put the Buccaneers ahead in the 24th minute, but Kaizer Chiefs responded through Pule Mmodi six minutes later.

Tshepang Moremi restored Pirates’ advantage in the 55th minute, scoring the winner in a match that also saw Chiefs defender Inacio Miguel sent off in stoppage time.

Henry’s presence added an international spotlight to the occasion. The match was already a major event on the South African football calendar, with the fierce rivalry between Pirates and Chiefs drawing attention well beyond the stadium.

Henry, regarded as one of the game’s great forwards, watched as the teams battled for derby honours.

Ouaddou’s affectionate words suggested that the meeting was more than a brief greeting between two football personalities.

He called Henry his “brother” and praised the encouragement and kindness he had received from him. The coach also described the former striker as “One of the greatest football player,” a tribute to Henry’s impact on the sport.

The two men have their own histories in elite football. Ouaddou played professionally in Europe, while Henry enjoyed a celebrated career with Arsenal and France, among other clubs.

Their paths crossed during their playing years, making their reunion at the Soweto derby a welcome connection between past and present.

For Pirates, however, the evening’s central story was the victory. Moremi’s second-half goal proved decisive as the Buccaneers held on to secure a 2-1 win over their city rivals.

The derby triumph brought an emphatic conclusion to a day that combined high-stakes football with a memorable visit from one of the sport’s most recognisable figures.

Ouaddou’s Instagram post captured that personal side of the occasion: a winning coach, a legendary guest and a moment of mutual respect after a fiercely contested match.

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