Abdeslam Ouaddou's Orlando Pirates take on Richards Bay FC this Wednesday at 7.30pm. With the title race down to fine margins, can the Buccaneers keep the pressure on Mamelodi Sundowns? Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Orlando Pirates will turn their attention to a high-flying Richards Bay FC when the two sides meet in the Betway Premiership on Wednesday at the Orlando Amstel Arena (kick-off 7.30pm).
In what has been an intense season from the opening match, the stakes continue to rise as the campaign approaches its final stretch. With just 11 matches remaining, Pirates’ pursuit of the league title faces another crucial examination as they look to end a nearly 14-year wait for the trophy.
Coming into the season, it was widely acknowledged that dethroning Mamelodi Sundowns would be a formidable challenge. The Buccaneers showed promise last term but ultimately fell short, finishing 12 points behind the champions as Sundowns extended their dominance to an eighth consecutive league title.
This season, however, the Bucaneers have shown greater intent and a degree of consistency. While results will ultimately define the campaign, the Soweto giants are aware that any dropped points at this stage could prove costly in a tightly contested title race.
They now face a Richards Bay side brimming with confidence after a memorable 1-0 victory over Kaizer Chiefs in their last outing in the league. That result has strengthened the Natal Rich Boyz’s push for a top-eight finish while also creating breathing space between themselves and the relegation zone.
Following a narrow 2-1 defeat to Sundowns, Abdeslam Ouaddou’s charges responded impressively. They secured a convincing 3-0 win over Chiefs and most recently followed that up with another positive, hard fought result against Polokwane City (2-1), underlining their growing momentum.
Former Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo believes his former club has a genuine chance of lifting the title this season, particularly because of their ability to recover from setbacks. He was especially impressed by how they avoided complacency after their big derby victory over Chiefs and still managed to grind out a result against Polokwane City.
“It was good to witness such a reaction from Orlando Pirates,” Mhlongo said, on Smash Sports.
“Bearing in mind that after winning the derby and the magnitude of that game with that scoreline, sometimes complacency can creep in. For Pirates to grind out that result was good to see.”
With the clash against Richards Bay looming large, Pirates will be eager to secure another important victory. Mhlongo believes the title race could ultimately be decided by the finest of margins, with matches like these potentially playing a decisive role in determining the destination of the trophy.
With Pirates and Sundowns virtually inseparable on goal difference, every performance now carries added weight, as the pressure of the title race tightens and even the smallest slip could prove decisive.
“Coach (Miguel) Cardoso speaking about points being important, I get the sense that he is playing the mind game to say that I know that someone will drop points and I need to collect points. Mlhongo continued.
“It’s going to be a title of fine margins, goals not so much but it will be about who will drop the points.”
* Obakeng Meletse is Independent Media’s multi-sport writer. For fresh video content, follow our YouTube channel The Clutch