Henry’s Insights, Michael Jackson Moves, and Second-Half Brilliance: Unpacking Ouaddou’s Victory in the Soweto Derby

November 2, 2026 sportnow Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou shared that his heightened emotions during Saturday’s Soweto Derby arose from an unwavering pursuit of excellence, explaining how a pre-match discussion with renowned football figure Thierry Henry influenced his approach to managing the team. Pirates achieved a thrilling 2–1 win over their fierce opponents, Kaizer Chiefs, at FNB Stadium in the 186th edition of this premier South African clash—marking the teams’ 80th encounter at this historic venue.

Nonetheless, the Moroccan-born tactician recognized that his initial strategic maneuver did not pay off during the first half. In an effort to address the absence of starting right-back Kamogelo Sebelebele—who got injured in last month’s MTN8 final against Mamelodi Sundowns—Ouaddou opted to place regular left-back Deon Hotto on the right side.

With Chiefs outpacing Pirates in the first half, Ouaddou made a crucial tactical change: he substituted left-back Nkosikhona Ndaba, moved substitute Ghampani Lungu to right-back, and returned Hotto to his original position on the left. This mid-game adjustment yielded immediate success as the Buccaneers took control after halftime, ultimately clinching three points.

Once the match concluded, an ecstatic Ouaddou celebrated exuberantly, extending his arms before uniting with his players to acknowledge the Buccaneers’ fans, even breaking into a dance to a classic Michael Jackson tune.

In his post-match comments, Ouaddou reflected on the significant pressure and emotional strains of guiding one of Africa’s most prominent clubs.

“You know, it’s not an easy task,” remarked Ouaddou.

“Having played for 17 years and then stepping into the role of coaching a major club like Orlando Pirates, striving for the best for my team and my club, I am driven by a quest for excellence. It’s intriguing because I had a friend, Thierry Henry, with me, and I was reading his book.”

Henry, who is a World Cup champion with France and a global ambassador for league sponsors Betway, was seen engaged in a profound pre-match talk with Ouaddou on the sidelines.

“He shared that his father was never satisfied with him during his youth, even when he was scoring four or five goals for the youth team in Paris, perhaps at Clairefontaine. He anticipated his father’s praise upon returning home, but it was never enough for his father; he should have netted more goals,” Ouaddou recounted.

“I aim to encourage my players to pursue excellence continuously and to improve constantly because, as a coach, I desire the best for my players. Yet, you can witness the emotions of a person who is determined to succeed.”

Discussing how his passionate approach affects the team, Ouaddou continued: “For some players, depending on their temperament, my emotions can inspire them to achieve their best. However, for others who may exhibit a weaker mentality, witnessing the coach’s emotions can be surprising.

“But emotions run high under pressure, and it’s crucial to manage these feelings.”