Pirates on the brink: Ouaddou’s men chase Papic’s scoring record in Soweto Derby

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is refusing to take his foot off the gas. Following a commanding 3-0 demolition of AmaZulu FC at the Orlando Amstel Arena, the Moroccan tactician insists that the Buccaneers will carry their “attack-first” philosophy into Sunday’s highly anticipated Soweto Derby.

The weekend victory—fueled by strikes from Yanela Mbuthuma, Oswin Appollis, and the ever-impressive Relebohile Mofokeng—saw Pirates reclaim the summit of the Betway Premiership. While Mamelodi Sundowns remain a lurking threat with games in hand, Ouaddou believes the psychological boost of the performance is exactly what his squad needed before heading to FNB Stadium.

TITLE RACE HEAT: PIRATES AIM FOR LEAGUE DOUBLE OVER CHIEFS TO STAY TOP

Beyond the three points, Pirates are currently on the verge of eclipsing a long-standing club milestone. With 50 league goals already in the bag this term, the class of 2026 is just three goals shy of breaking the 30-game era record of 52 goals set by Kosta Papic’s legendary 2004/05 side.

For Ouaddou, this prolific form is a non-negotiable part of the club’s DNA.

“When you coach Pirates, you play attacking football,” Ouaddou stated firmly. “We play every game to win, and we haven’t altered that when playing home or away. Sometimes teams challenge us, but we won’t abandon the good things this team has done.”

While many coaches opt for a conservative “safety-first” approach in the high-pressure environment of the Soweto Derby, Ouaddou signalled that he will not be deterred by the stakes. The Buccaneers currently lead the Brazilians by two points (58 points after 25 games), and a league double over Kaizer Chiefs would not only solidify their title credentials but also send a massive statement to Chloorkop.

“This was a very good moment for the guys, and it’s even better before the derby,” Ouaddou added. “It gives a lot of confidence to the boys. We have a group of players that we trust, and everyone is involved in this project.”

The Reverse Fixture Shadow

History favours the Sea Robbers heading into Sunday. Pirates handed Amakhosi a 3-0 drubbing in the first round of the season at the same venue. Should Ouaddou’s men maintain the fluidity they showed against Usuthu, a repeat of that scoreline would see them rewrite the record books and potentially tilt the title race firmly in their favour.

All eyes now turn to Wednesday’s clash between Sundowns and Stellenbosch FC, but for Ouaddou, the mission is clear: keep attacking, keep scoring, and conquer Soweto once again.