Derby dominance fuels Pirates title belief – Abdeslam Ouaddou

It was a business-like approach from the Buccaneers in front of a sold-out crowd at the Calabash, with goals coming from Tshepang Morremi’s deflected strike, Oswin Appollis, and substitute Evidence Makgopa. 

The result sees Pirates going two points clear at the top with 41 points from 18 matches, with Mamelodi Sundowns playing against Sekhukhune United this afternoon. 

Ouaddou says his players gave their all on the day...

"The fighting spirit within the team has been there for a while, and the aim to play some quality football has been there since the start of the season. What changed today was the efficiency in the opponents area. I'm a very happy coach and I'm proud of my boys."

READ: Kaze leaves decision to management following Soweto derby humiliation

Ouaddou, a former Marumo Gallant head coach, experienced the Soweto derby for the first time as a coach and was left hugely impressed. 

With the second derby still to come in April, the former Moroccan international captain says winning this first derby of the season was very special and important.

After watching his team bounce back from two unfortunate results, Ouaddou looks at what changed in his team and how they worked on their psyche to be ready for this first derby of the season.

"We spoke to the players in the meetings this week to help them manage the emotions because we knew for many of them it was their first Soweto Derby, so we thought it was important to work closely with these players regarding their mentality.

"The worst thing is when you are under big pressure and you cannot show all your qualities, so we had a lot of workshops this last week to help with that."

After Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Cedric Kaze said Pirates managed this game in a different way, with Pirates players falling all over the pitch and running the game strategically, Ouaddou held a different view and avoided arguing with his counterpart over this.

Ouaddou has played in some big derbies around the world in France, England and Greece, but as a head coach winning it is something different and in front of more than 90,000 at the biggest football venue on the continent is something else...