CHALLENGED by Kaizer Chiefs' Glody Lilepo in the picture is Orlando Pirates' current top scorer this season Patrick Maswanganyi during their Betway Premiership clash at the FNB Stadium.
Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Orlando Pirates will be determined to protect their position at the summit of the Betway Premiership standings when they welcome Richards Bay FC to the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday evening.
The Buccaneers head into the clash level on 44 points with defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, separated only by goal difference in what has developed into one of the tightest title races in recent seasons.
Depending on the outcome of Sundowns’ encounter with Orbit College FC in Rustenburg on Tuesday night, Pirates could have an opportunity to stretch their advantage at the top with victory in front of their home supporters.
Another win against Siwelele FC a few days later — while Sundowns shift focus to continental duty in the CAF Champions League — could even allow the Soweto giants to create valuable breathing space.
For Pirates, this represents unfamiliar territory in recent years.
The club has finished runners-up in the league for three consecutive seasons while Sundowns marched to an unprecedented run of eight straight league titles.
But this campaign has delivered a far more compelling narrative, with the two heavyweights locked in a genuine battle for supremacy.
Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has welcomed the competitiveness of the title race, insisting the drama is good for South African football.
“There is a lot of interest, and that’s nice for football and fans. When the team is leading with 15 points in the middle of the season, what interest do we have?” he said.
“But I think now, it’s what the fans want. It is what football can offer, and the two teams are fighting. And that’s good for South African football.”
Pirates approach the midweek clash with momentum after grinding out a dramatic 2-1 victory over Polokwane City FC in their most recent league outing.
The Buccaneers were forced to dig deep against a resilient Rise and Shine outfit before Patrick Maswanganyi struck the decisive goal deep into stoppage time.
His late intervention restored Pirates’ lead shortly after Bonginkosi Dlamini had cancelled out the opening goal.
Richards Bay, meanwhile, arrive in Soweto with confidence of their own.
The Natal Rich Boys currently sit ninth on the standings with 23 points from 19 matches and recently claimed a morale-boosting victory over Kaizer Chiefs.
That result demonstrated their ability to frustrate the league’s traditional giants.
History, however, favours Pirates.
The two sides last met in the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout in November, where Pirates edged the contest thanks to an early strike from Tshepang Moremi.
With the championship race entering a decisive phase, Pirates will know that any slip-up at home could hand momentum straight back to Sundowns.
For now, the equation is simple — win and stay on course in a title race that refuses to blink.