Don’t Count Chiefs Out Just Yet
In a Premier Soccer League season where momentum seems to shift every other week, Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has delivered a reminder that will resonate deeply with South African football fans. Kaizer Chiefs, he insists, are far from out of the title conversation.
Speaking on Marawa Sports Worldwide, the Moroccan-French tactician made it clear that as long as the maths still allows it, Amakhosi remain a threat. Chiefs may have stumbled after a bright start, but Ouaddou believes the race is still open.
“When it is mathematically possible, we don’t forget them,” he said. “It is still open.”
It is a statement that lands hard in Soweto, where Chiefs supporters are desperate for signs that this season could finally bring an end to their long wait for league glory.
Why Chiefs Still Matter In The Title Race
Chiefs’ campaign has been a familiar mix of promise and frustration. They burst out of the blocks with three straight league wins, only to lose steam toward the end of the year, taking just two points from their final two matches of 2025.
That slowdown has left them fourth on the table, four points adrift of Pirates, who still have a game in hand. For many fans, that gap already feels daunting. For Ouaddou, it is anything but decisive.
His reasoning reflects a deep understanding of the PSL grind. The season is long, injuries pile up, form swings wildly and pressure can change everything. Chiefs, under Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, remain close enough to strike if the leaders slip.
Pirates Riding High But Planning Ahead
Ouaddou’s comments come fresh off Pirates’ Carling Knockout Cup success in Polokwane, a win that reinforced the Buccaneers’ status as genuine title contenders. Yet despite silverware and a strong league position, the coach is already looking ahead to January.
His focus is clear. He wants another striker.
This is surprising on paper. Pirates currently have five recognised centre forwards in Tshegofatso Mabasa, Evidence Makgopa, Yanela Mbuthuma, Boitumelo Radiopane and Sifiso Luthuli. Depth is not the issue. Balance and form are.
Makgopa has emerged as Ouaddou’s preferred option, with Mbuthuma also earning minutes. The others have struggled to break through, for different reasons.
Mabasa’s Uncertain Future At Pirates
No situation is more delicate than that of Tshegofatso Mabasa. The 29-year-old arrived this season with confidence and ambition. By October, he had four goals and an assist in nine appearances. Then, almost abruptly, he disappeared from matchday squads.
According to SABC Sport, Mabasa is attracting interest from other clubs with just six months left on his contract. That reality makes January critical.
The numbers make his situation even more emotional. Mabasa has scored 50 goals for Pirates and needs just eight more to match Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi’s iconic club record of 58. Earlier this season, he spoke openly about wanting to reach that mark before the Africa Cup of Nations.
A New Striker On The Radar
With Mabasa potentially on the move and Radiopane battling injuries, Pirates’ interest in strengthening the striking department makes sense. Andre De Jong of Stellenbosch has been mentioned as a possible January target and could offer a different profile up front.
For Ouaddou, the decision is about maintaining intensity across competitions. The PSL title race, domestic cups and continental ambitions demand depth that can deliver consistently.
A Title Race Still Full Of Twists
What stands out most from Ouaddou’s remarks is the respect he shows for the league itself. Chiefs are not dismissed. Sundowns are not ignored. Pirates are not complacent.
In a country where football debates dominate taxis, taverns and timelines, his message cuts through the noise. The PSL title race is far from settled.
And as January approaches, the moves made in the transfer window may yet decide whether Chiefs can mount a comeback, or whether Pirates tighten their grip on the season.
Source: Goal ZA
Featured Image Source: AJ Silver CFC on X
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