Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou did not hold back after his side’s 1-1 draw with Kaizer Chiefs, criticising the nature of the contest at FNB Stadium.
The Betway Premiership clash saw Pirates drop points in the title race, but Ouaddou’s focus was on what he described as an overly physical approach from their rivals.
“I think we must protect players who want to play football,” he said.
“What I saw today, I don’t know if it was football or something else. It was not the game people came to watch.”
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Ouaddou claimed key attacking players were targeted, limiting Pirates’ ability to build rhythm in the first half.
“When I saw players like Mofokeng, Appollis and Moremi being stopped in that way, not within the rules, it is something I cannot accept,” he said.
“Our first half was not what we wanted because of that approach. It was very difficult to play.”
Despite that, Pirates improved after the break and pushed for a winner. Ouaddou said his side created enough to take all three points.
“I have the feeling we lost two points,” he said.
“We were pushing and if the game continued, I believe we would have scored again.”
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He also questioned Chiefs’ approach late in the match, suggesting they were content with the draw.
“I saw a lot of their players going down. Maybe they were tired, but it also looked like they were protecting the result,” he said.
“For a big club, you expect more. I think both teams should want to win this kind of game.”
Pirates now turn their focus back to the title race, while the derby fallout continues after a contest that left both sides with different views on the result and performance.
Photo: Zamani Makautsi/Gallo Images
