Despite the weekend's draw, the title race is far from over. With 9 games to go and a potential record-breaking points haul on the horizon, can Abdeslam Ouaddou lead the Sea Robbers to their first league crown in 14 years? Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media
COMMENT
Orlando Pirates fans were understandably lamenting those two dropped points against Siwelele FC at the weekend as a huge dent to their club’s hopes of capturing the league title for the first time in 14 years.
But, even if Mamelodi Sundowns were to take over the leadership of the Betway Premiership with victory over Marumo Gallants on Tuesday evening, the reality is that the championship race is far from over.
With nine matches of the campaign to go, there is every reason for The Ghost to keep the faith that Abdeslam Ouaddou and his troops can bring an end to Sundowns’ monopolisation of domestic football’s biggest prize.
Of course, the smart money has to be on Sundowns given their knowledge and experience of winning the league as they seek a record-extending ninth successive title. But with nine matches to go, Pirates have just as good a chance as their adversaries to reign supreme.
The Bucs have nine matches remaining, with four of those at home and five on the road. On the face of it, they can amass maximum points from them and go on to finish the campaign with a 75-point haul — the most they’d ever have collected since the advent of the 16-team league.
First up for Pirates is a trip away to TS Galaxy this weekend, a tricky encounter on any given day, and this time will be no different. With the Rockets chasing a Top 8 finish and looking to build confidence for the upcoming Nedbank Cup semi-final, Ouaddou and his men can expect a dogfight. They beat Galaxy 2-0 in the first leg and should repeat the dose.
Golden Arrows have traditionally been the team Pirates beat late in the season to secure the championship. They are playing them a little earlier than usual this time around, but Manqoba Mngqithi and his men are coming to Esgodini — the Orlando Amstel Arena — and following that disappointing 1-1 draw with Siwelele, bet on Pirates to go all out to appease their fans.
Just seven days ago, Pirates beat Richards Bay 2-0 at Orlando and they will make the trip down to Umhlathuze confident they will do the same prior to welcoming Arthur Zwane’s AmaZulu for what is a potential banana skin. Granted, Usuthu blow hot and cold, but they are still hopeful of finishing in 3rd place and will bring a fighting spirit as they seek revenge for that 2-0 defeat in February.
Pirates will face yet another wounded foe in Kaizer Chiefs on 25 April, but following that 3-0 victory and Chiefs’ stutter, you have to be a member of the Khosi nation to expect any result other than a Bucs win.
Beat Gavin Barker’s Stellenbosch away thereafter and Pirates will be that much closer to championship glory — their last three matches against Magesi FC, Durban City and Orbit College are most likely to see them bagging maximum points.
Statistically, Pirates’ run-in appears the kind Ouaddou and his men should negotiate with consummate ease. Stats, as someone once said, are nothing more than numbers on a piece of paper with little to no effect on the outcome of matches.
Still, The Ghost have every reason to remain hopeful that the double seven-year itch will be scratched this time around.
22 March: v TS Galaxy (A)
7 April: v Golden Arrows (H)
10 April: v Richards Bay (A)
18 April: v AmaZulu (H)
25 April: v Kaizer Chiefs (H)
5 May: v Stellenbosch FC (A)
9 May: v Magesi FC (A)
16 May: v Durban City (H)
23 May: v Orbit College FC (A)