Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes Kaizer Chiefs remain genuine title contenders despite their current position on the league table, insisting that the Amakhosi coaching staff are doing a good job.
Kaizer Chiefs may have suffered a 2-1 defeat to Orlando Pirates in the Soweto Derby, but they have received an encouraging assessment from an unexpected source.
Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes Amakhosi should not be written off in the Betway Premiership title race, despite sitting fifth on the standings.
The Buccaneers claimed derby bragging rights at FNB Stadium on Saturday, with goals from Yanela Mbuthuma and Tshepang Moremi securing the victory. The result lifted Pirates to 25 points, leaving them just one point behind league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Chiefs, meanwhile, have a 12-point gap to make up on the leaders. However, Ouaddou believes the Soweto giants still have enough quality and potential to compete for the championship.
Ouaddou sends an encouraging message to Kaizer Chiefs
Speaking after the derby, the Pirates coach praised the work being done by the Kaizer Chiefs technical team under Fernando Da Cruz.
Ouaddou believes the coaching staff need time to establish their playing philosophy and develop the squad.
“What I can tell you is that, seeing the game from outside, the technical staff of Kaizer Chiefs are doing a great job,” Ouaddou said.
“We must let them work on implementing their game model. Kaizer Chiefs have a very good team, very good young players. In my opinion, they’re on the right path.”
The Pirates mentor also stressed that Chiefs’ history, support base and quality make them a team that cannot be dismissed from the title conversation.
“We don’t have to rule them out of the title race. This is a big club with big fans, and this technical team is doing a great job,” he added.
His comments will likely be welcomed by Chiefs supporters, particularly as their team continues working to close the gap on the leading clubs.
Chiefs can now focus on the league
Kaizer Chiefs’ reported exit from the CAF Confederation Cup means their attention can turn towards domestic competition.
With fewer continental commitments, Amakhosi may have an opportunity to concentrate on their remaining league fixtures and build consistency during the second half of the campaign.
Their upcoming schedule includes important encounters against Chippa United, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, among other opponents.
The return Soweto Derby, scheduled for 13 March 2027 in the supplied fixture list, could prove particularly significant if both sides remain in contention near the top of the table.
Can Kaizer Chiefs still win the league?
Ouaddou has made his position clear: Chiefs should not be ruled out.
However, the challenge facing Da Cruz and his players is considerable. Amakhosi will need to turn encouraging performances into consistent results if they are to close the 12-point gap to the league leaders.
Do you agree with Abdeslam Ouaddou? Can Kaizer Chiefs still win the Betway Premiership title, or should their focus be on securing a strong finish to the season?
