NOT IMPRESSED Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs believes handling pressure will be key in the title race. Picture: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix
Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moneeb Josephs believes the team that manages pressure better will ultimately have the upper hand in the Betway Premiership title race, as his former side prepares to face TS Galaxy this Sunday.
The Buccaneers have once again been reminded that dethroning 18-time champions Mamelodi Sundowns — who are chasing a ninth successive league title — will be a difficult task. Pirates head into the encounter trailing the log leaders by two points, leaving them with little room for error as the season enters its decisive stage.
They will be aiming to complete a season double over the Mbombela-based outfit, having secured a convincing 2-0 win when the sides last met earlier in the campaign at Orlando Amstel Arena.
However, this fixture is expected to pose a different kind of challenge, particularly given the current stakes and the pressure surrounding both teams.
It will not be a straightforward assignment for head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and his charges, who are eager to return to winning ways after being held to a 1-1 draw by Siwelele FC in their previous outing.
That result saw them drop crucial points at a key stage of the campaign, adding further pressure to their title ambitions.
TS Galaxy, under the guidance of Adnan Beganovic, have also shown their quality, having recently secured a 2-0 victory over Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup. They remain a dangerous side capable of troubling any opponent, meaning Pirates will need to be at their best to secure maximum points.
One of the key concerns for the Sea Robbers heading into the clash is their lack of clinical finishing. Despite creating a number of chances, they have struggled to convert opportunities into goals, which has cost them both points and momentum in the title race. Improving their efficiency in front of goal will be crucial if they are to keep pace with Sundowns.
Reflecting on his former sides recent performances and the broader title race, Josephs emphasised the importance of composure and taking chances when they arise.
“The lack of composure shown in the box is disappointing for me,” Josephs said on Soccerbeat.
“It was always going to be about who was going to give the power away first in this title race, and we have now given that power away, and now we are going to be chasing again.
“For our coach, at this time of the season, to be making the substitutions that he did in the match against Siwelele FC also shows a crack in his armor as well, especially when it's the pressure times.”
Josephs also pointed to Sundowns’ experience in handling high-pressure situations as a significant advantage, particularly in the closing stages of the season. Having been in similar positions before, the Brazilians are well-equipped to navigate the demands of a title run-in.
“The worry that I have with Sundowns is that they know how to win this thing, and that is a disadvantage to us.
“When they had their bad form, that is when we should have been picking up those points, because when the pressure comes, who knows how to handle this pressure better — it will be the ones who have done it before.
“We have now shown the crack, and when they see it, they smell blood and go to another level. We now have to pray and hope, and that is what it will be about — hope.”
* Obakeng Meletse is Independent Media’s multi-sport writer. For fresh video content, follow our YouTube channel The Clutch