Abdeslam Ouaddou concedes current form makes Chiefs a threat

The Buccaneers cruised to a 3-0 victory in the previous Betway Premiership meeting at FNB Stadium, capitalising on a disrupted Chiefs side that had lost captain and goalkeeper Brandon Petersen days earlier.

But Amakhosi arrive this time on a six-game unbeaten run, including five straight wins, and Ouaddou acknowledges they pose a far greater threat.

"In this job, you need a lot of humility because if you reach the target and stop working, I think it's the beginning of the end. Sunday is another game, different context, different environment, Kaizer Chiefs have been in a very good shape over the last six games, but we focus on ourselves and how we want to attack that game."

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Ouaddou played his cards close to his chest when pressed on the kind of approach he would put up against a much-improved Chiefs outfit. 

What the Pirates coach did unpack, however, is the need to continue their scoring form that has made oppositions wary each time they face the log leaders.

"They didn't change their attitude and now they've been brave and fantastic since the beginning of the season. You can see that our team never gives up from the beginning until the end. I think you're going to see a well organised team that is going to make a lot of runs and play with a lot of intensity in the derby."

Meanwhile, defender Tapelo Xoki spoke of the players’ mindset heading into the derby. 

"The most important part is to stick to the processes and prepare as best as we can so that we can put our best foot forward on the day. We want to get maximum points on the day, and what follows after is out of our hands."