Kamogelo Sebelebele and Oswin Appolis of Orlando Pirates warming up as they look to clinch the Betway Premiership title for The Ghost.
Image: BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates’ attempt to win the Betway Premiership in their penultimate clash against Durban City at Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday (3pm) will require cool heads, which is why the team can’t afford to get carried away before the final whistle.
Pirates will host City at home sitting second on the standings with 65 points. However, they have a superior goal difference of eight over leaders and current champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who lead by three points.
Given that Sundowns have wrapped up their league campaign to focus on continental matters, a win for Pirates against the Citizens should be enough to ensure they finish top of the standings for the first time in 14 seasons with a game to spare.
With Pirates set to enjoy home-ground advantage in front of a sold-out crowd, most of the Ghost and neutrals believe they will be crowned kings of local football come Saturday night as they have won the domestic treble, having lifted the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup as well.
Thulasizwe Mbuyane, who was part of Pirates’ famous squad that won the team’s last league title and domestic treble during the 2011/12 season, has cautioned the team against getting carried away when they face City.
“They must just go in, play their usual game and target a win. They mustn’t be flashy or attempt to do anything spectacular. They must approach the game like any other on Saturday,” Mbuyane said.
“They mustn’t put themselves under pressure by trying to do things they aren’t used to. The most important thing is for the players to enjoy themselves.
“They mustn’t force things because there’ll still be another game (against Orbit College at Mbombela Stadium on May 23) to play, even though the easier option would be to win against Durban City. That way, they’ll head into the last game in celebration mode.”
Pirates have not found themselves on the cusp of illustrious success by chance. Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has been the mastermind behind Pirates’ outstanding season, which is why Mbuyane lauded the management for backing him after a sluggish start.
“Most importantly, I think it’s been the patience shown by management that stood out,” Mbuyane said. “The coach was new and, when he arrived, he lost the first two league games (against Sekhukhune United and Marumo Gallants).
“Everyone started criticising the coach, and that gave opponents the impression that things weren’t stable at the club. But management kept faith in the coach.”
Mbuyane stressed that the coach wouldn’t have succeeded without the players, which is why he believes newcomers such as Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi and Lebone Seema adapted seamlessly at the club and blended well with senior players such as Makhehleni Makhaula, Deon Hotto and Thalente Mbatha.
“The consistency of the core group of players the coach worked with proved decisive because they worked hard for him,” Mbuyane said. “They also understood how much they wanted to win the league.
“The technical team also made good signings. Giving opportunities to young players showed that these youngsters could deliver for the team, and they didn’t disappoint.”
Pirates’ jewel Relebohile Mofokeng has enjoyed a fantastic second half of the season, reaching double figures (10 goals) for the first time since his promotion, after a slow start to the campaign.
However, during his below-par start to the season, players such as Appollis and Moremi carried the baton, guided by experienced campaigners such as Hotto and Mbatha.
“This team has talent and senior players who were there to guide the youngsters,” Mbuyane added. “So, the combination worked very well. The youngsters didn’t let them down, especially those who were promoted.”