Orlando Pirates’ ambitions to dominate the Betway Premiership title are slowly fading away, with the team recently dropping crucial points at home to Siwelele and away to Richards Bay. Despite the excitement around the new signings, only Sipho Mbule and Abdoulaye Mariko have previously won league titles at other clubs, bringing experience alongside veteran Deon Hotto.
The lack of title-winning experience has been exposed, leaving visible frustration on the faces of the technical team and players. Mamelodi Sundowns, chasing a record-extending ninth consecutive title, are expected to maintain their dominance, potentially extending Pirates’ 14-year wait for league glory.
Experience Matters
Assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi suggested that winning the league has not been overly emphasised internally. “I think in our team meetings there hasn’t been a major emphasis on how important it is to win the league. That raises a bigger question about whether the club’s policy has the capacity to win the league,” Ncikazi said. According to the Orlando Pirates Wikipedia page, the team has a rich history of success, but their recent performances have been inconsistent.
Despite recent setbacks, Pirates have shown clear progress. Young talents such as Relebohile Mofokeng have stepped up impressively, with him and new signing Oswin Appollis expected to challenge for end-of-season awards. Ncikazi insists the team is not giving up, saying “No one wants to be number two.”
Key Challenges Ahead
Here are three key challenges Pirates need to overcome to stay in the title race:
- Lack of experience: With only a few players having won league titles before, Pirates lack the know-how to close out the season strongly.
- Consistency: The team has been inconsistent, dropping points against weaker opponents and struggling to maintain a high level of performance throughout the season.
- Pressure from Sundowns: Mamelodi Sundowns are a formidable opponent, and Pirates will need to be at their best to overcome them and stay in the title race.
Pirates have fallen short in the title race over the last three seasons, finishing as runners-up to Sundowns, and expectations were high that they would finally reclaim the title this season. The PSL website provides updates on the latest standings and fixtures.
