Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou's side has been criticised for their inability to deliver in decisive moments in their title race against Mamelodi Sundowns.
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Former Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs has delivered a blunt assessment of the Betway Premiership title race, insisting it is no longer in the Buccaneers’ hands following their recent slip.
Pirates were held to a dramatic draw by Richards Bay FC last Friday, rescuing a point late on but missing a crucial opportunity to seize control at the top.
Instead, they remain behind Mamelodi Sundowns, who hold a one-point lead with a game in hand — a gap that could stretch to four with just six matches left.
For Josephs, the issue runs deeper than the dropped points.
Speaking on the Soccer Beat podcast, the Mitchells Plain-born legend pointed to a recurring pattern that has undermined Pirates’ challenge — an inability to deliver in decisive moments.
“Sundowns have got acres and miles in an abundance of experience in doing this thing. You know? We had them by the neck about four or five games ago. We had them, the chance, and then we slipped up,” Josephs said.
“Every time when it’s crucial for us, we slip up.
And that, for me, was the frustrating part when we had a little bit of a chance, just to put a little bit of a lock on them, we slipped up.”
Despite his criticism, Josephs made it clear his comments come from a place of loyalty.
Now part of the Kenyan national team setup, he maintains a strong emotional connection to Pirates, having enjoyed success with the club during his playing days.
However, sentiment does not cloud his judgement.
“For me, the mindset is not quite there yet. As much as I’d love my team to win this league for the way they have performed this season… honestly, if there was a title awarded purely for the way you played and for showing unbelievable character, I would hand it to them myself.
“But unfortunately, that is not the way the league is won.
This league is won by points. And as for who comes out the best, right? And if you’ve been doing the best all season, and you lose the last game and the last point, then unfortunately, you’re not going to be the best.”
Josephs believes the decisive factor is the calibre of opposition Pirates are chasing.
Against most teams, he suggests, the race would still be open — but Sundowns are a different proposition entirely.
“If we were competing with a Sekhukhune [United] or AmaZulu [FC], I was going to feel we have a chance. But this is Sundowns. They know how to do this. They have won it for how many years in a row? Six, seven years in a row? [Eight times]… if we add up all our available points, it will be 73 points. And if we add up Sundowns’ points, it will be 77.
So it’s not in our control. And that is not how I like to compete…”
Pirates now have an immediate chance to respond when they host AmaZulu FC at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, a fixture that could briefly send them to the top of the standings with Sundowns occupied by CAF Champions League duties.