Abdeslam Ouaddou eyes morale-boosting Soweto derby victory | OneFootball

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Ouaddou targets derby win to boost confidence

Photo: Orlando Pirates @ X

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has set sights on securing a victory over fierce rivals Kaizer Chiefs in a bid to restore his team's confidence after two consecutive defeats.

The two teams will lock horns in the famed Soweto derby at FNB Stadium on Saturday (15h30), in what will be the first installment of the fixture in the 2025/26 campaign.

Pirates head into game off the back of a defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns and Casric Stars in the Betway Premiership and Nedbank Cup, respectively.

With Chiefs also on the back of two losses on the trot against Zamalek SC in the CAF Confederation Cup and Stellenbosch FC in the league, Ouaddou is ready to boost Bucs' morale at the expense of the Glamour Boys.

“It's a special moment all the time for a first derby, you are doing everything on your side to try to win it and you know how much it's very important for the fans, how much it's very important for the players,” said the Pirates boss.

"And it can really help you to settle and give the players the confidence, especially on our side as well, in our position. So, it will be very important for us this derby.

Pirates will be eager to consolidate their title credentials as they currently sit second, level on 38 points with defending champions and log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

Notably, the last time the Buccaneers lost a league match to their nemesis was back in February 2023, having completed back-to-back league doubles over Chiefs in the past two seasons.