ORLANDO Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou speaking with his players as they rehydrate for the Betway Premiership title race.
Image: BACKPAGEPIX
Orlando Pirates have spent the better part of the last decade chasing Mamelodi Sundowns for the South African Premiership title, but the result has always been a disappointing second place.
"The Bridesmaids" is what they have come to be labelled. After dominating cup competitions for at least the past two seasons, hopes were even higher this time around that they would push closer to the required standards.
Underline "required standards", for Sundowns have raised the bar regarding what it takes to win the league. There is almost no statistic they have not rewritten; from breaking the points record in a 30-game season and scoring the most goals in a season, to setting the longest unbeaten and winning streaks, clean sheets, and so forth.
So yes, they have set new standards, and to meet them, there are prerequisites: be prepared to score as many goals per match as possible, be prepared to claim as many clean sheets as possible, and be prepared to play high-tempo football from day one to the last day of the season.
So, when Pirates were shaken by losing the first two games of the current season, cynics and optimists alike shared the same reaction — “the league is Sundowns’ once again.” Even Pirates' supporters can attest to the fact that a seed of doubt was planted.
Fast forward to recent weeks when Pirates suffered a dip in form, this time drawing games many felt the Sowetans had no business dropping points in. Not taking anything away from Richards Bay and Siwelele — if anything, they are among the most improved sides this season — but that is a story for another day.
The bottom line is that this has brought us to the current state of affairs. While Pirates find themselves in a much better position to end Sundowns’ dominance, we just cannot ignore the cynical voices screaming: “No way Pirates will win all three of their remaining matches!”
Indeed, after Sundowns drew with Kaizer Chiefs on Wednesday night, that is all Pirates have to do to win the league for the first time since 2012 — win all three remaining matches. Sundowns, with 65 points, have played a game more than Pirates (27). Pirates are three points behind, but a six-goal goal difference advantage will work in their favour, provided they win all three remaining matches.
But can Pirates really do it?
Sure they can; they are left with two relegation-threatened sides in Magesi FC (on Saturday) and Orbit College (on the final day), while the league’s newcomers and newly crowned Nedbank Cup champions, Durban City, are in the mix. All are winnable games by Pirates’ standards, but let us watch and see.