Pirates delivered a statement where it matters most

Orlando Pirates delivered one of their most complete performances of the season against Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium.

Goals from Tshepang Moremi, Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa powered the Buccaneers to a convincing 3-0 Soweto derby victory, sending them to the top of the Betway Premiership standings.

ORLANDO PIRATES SHINE AGAINST KAIZER CHIEFS

Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou revealed that the players executed the game plan exactly as designed, something that left him immensely proud after a challenging period leading into the derby.

“I think my boys, I’m very proud of my boys today, we started the game like exactly we wanted, we wanted to put the high pressure, to score early. What helped us to bring this game easier,” Ouaddou told SuperSport after the game.

“It was a difficult two-three weeks after the two losses, and I think they gave us a fantastic answer in this derby and I’m very proud of them and we have to keep going like that.”

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Pirates maintained control even after halftime adjustments, with tactical tweaks helping them close spaces and exploit weaknesses in wide areas.

“It was the target, we prepared this derby very well, the guys wanted to show a great image, great qualities of Orlando Pirates in front of our fans, we wanted to make them happy. We wanted to keep the high levels of football we have shown.

ABDESLAM OUADDOU: THE PERFORMANCE REPRESENTED CHARACTER

“In the second half, we just made some slight changes, tactical changes because we had this problem in the half-spaces of the opponents and we have the left-winger that tried to overload on the side and the boys they really answered well,” the Moroccan added.

For Ouaddou, beyond tactics and goals, the performance represented character and belief from a squad determined to respond to recent setbacks.

“And what a great character, what a great personality of the boys, and I’m a happy a coach tonight.”

The victory not only strengthened Pirates’ title ambitions but also reinforced growing confidence within a team that appears increasingly comfortable in high-pressure matches.