Orlando Pirates face a crucial title showdown against Orbit College FC at Mbombela Stadium, where a win will end Mamelodi Sundowns’ eight-year league domination and secure their first Betway Premiership title since 2012. Picture: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers
When one team or player dominates for too long in a sport, it becomes boring, and it’s for that reason alone that Orlando Pirates must stop at nothing to win the Betway Premiership this weekend.
Mamelodi Sundowns have won the last eight league titles in a row, and as impressive as that achievement is, it would be better for South African football if another team is crowned champion.
Take, for example, the English Premier League. Manchester United absolutely dominated with Alex Ferguson at the helm, then it was the turn of Manchester City, who won six league titles in seven seasons, leading up right up until 2024.
Since then, Liverpool and Arsenal have been crowned champions, and many neutrals would have been pulling for them simply to deny City being crowned champions again.
It’s exactly the same now for Pirates as they face one of the most important fixtures in their history on Saturday.
They take on Orbit College FC at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit with the simplest of equations: win, and they win the title.
Anything less (a draw or a loss) will see Sundowns extend their league domination to nine league titles in a row.
It’s been a tussle for top spot on the league all season between Pirates and Sundowns, but not the champions have already played their final fixtures and will be reduced to nerve-wracked spectators in a couple of days.
Sundowns lost their final fixture last week, in what was a shock 3-2 defeat to TS Galaxy away.
Since then, Pirates had the chance to already win the league with a game to spare, but they faltered with a goalless draw when they hosted Durban City last weekend.
They will now have a second chance at popping the champagne, and if they don’t, it will leave a bitter taste in the mouth of Pirates fans for decades to come.
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