Tensions spilled over after the Soweto Derby as Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou launched a scathing attack on rivals Kaizer Chiefs following their 1-1 draw at FNB Stadium.
The highly anticipated clash lived up to its intensity, but Ouaddou was far from impressed with what he described as overly aggressive tactics from Amakhosi.
According to the Pirates coach, key attacking players — including Relebohile Mofokeng, Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi — were repeatedly targeted with reckless challenges. The situation escalated when Moremi was forced off in the first half after a heavy tackle, with Patrick Maswanganyi coming on as his replacement.
Speaking after the match, Ouaddou did not hold back. He questioned whether what unfolded on the pitch could even be called football, comparing it to a combat sport and suggesting that the focus was more on stopping players physically than playing the game within the rules.
He expressed frustration that a fixture of such magnitude — often regarded as one of the biggest derbies in world football — was reduced to what he described as a physical battle rather than a showcase of skill and quality. Ouaddou insisted that supporters deserved better, especially given the stature and organisation surrounding the derby.
The Pirates coach also criticised Chiefs’ overall approach, claiming they came not to play but to disrupt and “destroy” the flow of the game. He argued that this negatively affected Pirates’ performance, particularly in the first half where they struggled to impose themselves.
Adding to his frustration, Ouaddou took aim at Chiefs’ reaction after the final whistle. He suggested that a club of their size should not be satisfied with a draw, saying Pirates felt like they had dropped two points — and that Chiefs should feel the same, rather than celebrating the result.
The fiery post-match comments are likely to fuel further debate around the nature of the derby, with questions now being raised about the balance between physicality and fair play in one of South Africa’s biggest football rivalries.
