Ouaddou calls for humility as Pirates attempt to win sixth consecutive league Soweto Derby

Abdeslam Ouaddou believes form and recent history will count for nothing when Orlando Pirates host Kaizer Chiefs at a sold-out FNB Stadium on Sunday.

It is the 185th meeting between the Soweto rivals, who are seeking wins for two varied reasons. The Buccaneers go into the clash on an eight-game unbeaten league run, looking for three points that will see them remain top of the standings ahead of title rivals Mamelodi Sundowns. For Chiefs, the game is a chance to cement third spot as they focus on securing qualification for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.

The last time these two teams met in the league was in February, an encounter Pirates won 3-0, recording their fifth win in a row against the "Glamour Boys." It was their biggest winning margin in the fixture since defeating Chiefs with an identical scoreline halfway through the 2001/02 season.

“They didn't change their attitude or behaviour now,” Ouaddou reflected on his charges’ attitude leading up to the game. “They have been brave; they have been fantastic since the beginning of the season. You can see that our team never gave up from the beginning until the end. We are not going to change anything in terms of the attitude because it's the print of Pirates since the beginning of the season. Guys who are fighting until the end, well-organised, a lot of runs, a lot of intensity.”

Heading into the midweek Betway Premiership fixtures, Pirates were top—two points clear of the defending champions, who had two games in hand. However, in a surprise result, the CAF Champions League finalists were held to a 1-1 draw by Stellenbosch, a result that only reduced the gap between the top two to a single point.

While that result might have given Pirates fans hope of finally ending their 14-year wait to win the championship, forward Andre de Jong called for cool heads, noting that no team can be underestimated. The New Zealand attacker noted that the PSL is a tough league where any team can show up on a given day, much like Stellenbosch did against Sundowns. He emphasised that the team is approaching Sunday with a mix of confidence and humility.

Pirates’ sustained title challenge has come despite a season blighted by injury for several key players, including vice-captain Thapelo Xoki. The Khayelitsha-born defender tore his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) after the team was involved in a serious car accident in September 2025 on the R21 highway in Gqeberha.

Despite his absence on the pitch, his teammates have praised his leadership from the sidelines. The 31-year-old described the season as fulfilling unexpectedly, noting that it has taught him how to lead without being on the field. Xoki stated that he is grateful for the journey and for life itself, choosing to embrace the challenge rather than question his circumstances.

A key player for Pirates will be Relebohile Mofokeng, who has shone in the midfield since being moved from the wing to the "number 10" role. Former Buccaneers midfielder Mpho Makola has heaped praise on the 21-year-old, who has scored 10 goals this season. Makola told Eyewitness News that it would be awesome to see Mofokeng challenge himself to become one of the best in the world, adding that the country should embrace and support such a talent.