ORLANDO Pirates' bright sparks Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis.
Image: File
Orlando Pirates have to be merciless and further deepen Magesi’s relegation troubles if they are to claim the Betway Premiership title this season.
Pirates are on the brink of winning the championship for the first time in 14 seasons. They just need to win their final three matches of the campaign – against Magesi away, Durban City at home and Orbit College away – convincingly.
They are currently second on the log with 62 points, trailing leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who will have played two games more by the time Pirates face Dikwena Tsa Meetse at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday night (8pm kick-off).
Granted, Pirates and Sundowns are set to finish level on 71 points if they both win all their remaining matches of the season. However, Pirates already hold a superior seven-goal advantage in the title race.
Sundowns are accustomed to handling pressure during crunch time and could easily score seven goals in their final two matches. But the fact that Pirates have also been rock solid and free-scoring, coupled with the reality that every victory could further improve their goal difference, means they are likely to strengthen that advantage.
Hosting a determined and dangerous Pirates side will not be ideal for Magesi, who are already languishing in the automatic relegation spot with 21 points, two points away from safety in 14th place on the log.
But that will matter little to Pirates. They have reached this stage of the season by breaking hearts, having already won the MTN8 and Carling Knockout at the expense of Stellenbosch FC and Marumo Gallants respectively.
Pirates have no time for sympathy. Triumphing this season would secure their first domestic treble since the famous class of the 2011/12 campaign – coincidentally the last time they won the league title.
To make matters worse for Magesi, Pirates are expected to play their best, enterprising football at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, given that it is a bigger venue compared to Seshego Stadium.