Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has criticised the physical nature of his side’s Soweto derby clash, describing aspects of the encounter as crossing the boundaries of fair play.
The match, one of the most anticipated fixtures in South African football, was closely contested, but attention after the final whistle focused on the intensity of challenges throughout the game.
Ouaddou said he had expected a tough contest after seeing the opposition line-up, but believes the level of physicality went beyond what should be permitted.
“About the game, I think we had the game that we expected,” Ouaddou said after the match. “When I saw the line-up, I knew directly that we would be faced with a lot of duels and tough football in the middle.”
The Pirates coach pointed to repeated physical duels involving midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu, particularly his contests with Pirates youngster Relebohile Mofokeng, as examples of the approach that disrupted his team’s rhythm.
Despite the robust nature of the contest, referee Abongile Tom did not issue any yellow or red cards during the match, a decision that added to Ouaddou’s frustration.
“I think in terms of duels, we lost that battle of fighting. There are games like that, unfortunately,” he added.
However, the coach reserved his strongest criticism for what he described as excessive aggression, suggesting that certain challenges exceeded acceptable limits.
“Sometimes it was even a limit of the red line you couldn’t cross,” he said. “If we want to give nice football to the fans, and I think South African fans deserve it, we must protect players who want to play football.”
Ouaddou went further in his assessment of the match, questioning whether the encounter reflected the standards expected of top-level football.
“What I have seen today, I don’t know if I can call it a football game or karate,” he said. “I have to respect other sporting codes, but it was not a football game.”
He also claimed that several attacking players in his side were deliberately targeted, making it difficult for the team to impose their style of play.
“Our three players; Mofokeng, Appollis, and Moremi were targeted,” he said. “Not to take the ball within the rules, but to break the legs of the players. This is something I cannot accept in football.”
Ouaddou concluded by warning that such an approach risks damaging the image of the league and diminishing the spectacle associated with the Soweto derby.
“A team came not to play football but to destroy and break legs,” he stated. “This is what we saw, and it is very bad for football.”
The comments are likely to fuel debate over officiating standards and physical play in one of Africa’s most high-profile domestic fixtures.
