Orlando Pirates must become more ruthless if they are to usurp Mamelodi Sundowns

Patrick Maswanganyi of Orlando Pirates and Bilal Baloyi of SuperSport United during the MTN8, Quarter Final match between Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium on August 03, 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

By Yanga Sibembe

22 Aug 2024

Orlando Pirates’ quest to narrow the gap between themselves and Mamelodi Sundowns has started with a stutter.

Last season Orlando Pirates were knocked out in the second preliminary round of the Caf Champions League after being vanquished by Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy. The former African champions’ failure to advance to the group phase of Africa’s premier club competition affected their confidence in the league, and they started slowly.

Three losses in their first 10 games would ultimately see the Buccaneers finish a record 23 points behind eventual South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Not nearly good enough for a side that harbours hopes of ending Masandawana’s league dominance.

Pirates' Tshegofatso Mabasa during their MTN8 quarterfinal match against SuperSport United at Orlando Stadium on 3 August 2024 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

The Pretoria giants are chasing a record-extending eighth consecutive Premiership title in 2024/2025. Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs only have eight Premier Soccer League (PSL) Premiership titles between them, with four apiece.

While the recruitment of Nasreddine Nabi, who is a highly respected coach in African soccer, has Chiefs dreaming of ending a nine-year trophy drought this season – it is their Soweto rivals Pirates who are once again best-placed to displace Sundowns in the league marathon, if only they can master the art of being consistent.

Early season rustiness

In their first official game of the new season, Pirates laboured to an extra-time victory over SuperSport United in the MTN8, where they are the defending champions. They clinched the match 3-1, a score that looks impressive on paper, but does not tell the full story of that contest.

It is, of course, still early in the season. So, off-season rustiness should be factored in.

However, even under those circumstances Pirates were extremely poor in their most recent match. The Soweto side wasted a number of opportunities on the way to being held to a surprise nil-all draw by Madagascan outfit Disciples.

The Buccaneers huffed and puffed, but could not break down the determined and disciplined Disciples side. On Friday, 23 August, the two teams are set to clash again in the second leg. The match will be played at the home of the Sea Robbers, Orlando Stadium – with kick-off set for 7.30pm.

If they are to send a clear message of intent to Masandawana before the league kicks off on 14 September, they must be ruthless against the Disciples on home soil.

Patrick Maswanganyi of Orlando Pirates, left, and Bilal Baloyi of SuperSport United during their MTN8 quarterfinal at Orlando Stadium on 3 August 2024. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)

“The opposition today was excellent, and every result would have been possible,” Pirates coach José Riveiro told the club’s media department after the game.

“Both sides had very clear chances and, strangely, we finished the game goalless. We could not manage to capitalise on ours to get a goal advantage and at least go into the second leg with the advantage,” said the Spaniard, who is into third season as the Buccaneers’ head coach.

“But we didn’t concede. That is also important… We have to finalise (progressing to the second round) in Orlando. We know that it is not going to be easy because they are a good team, so we have to do everything to impose ourselves,” Riveiro said.

Confidence boost

Indeed, a strong performance would not only show that Pirates are ready to potentially make Sundowns sweat; it would also be a confidence booster heading into the new Premiership campaign. Especially because Pirates’ Achilles heel in their pursuit of Sundowns has been dropping points in games where they come in as strong favourites to win.

An example from last season is how the Sea Robbers failed to beat relegated Cape Town Spurs, drawing one match and losing the other. On the other hand, Sundowns earned maximum points against last season’s strugglers.

These are the little tweaks Pirates have to make mentally in order to truly be a threat to their Pretoria-based counterparts. The second clash against Disciples is a perfect platform to apply what they have learnt between last season and now.

At the end of the last campaign Riveiro said bolstering the team’s mentality was something he and his technical team would focus on heavily before the start of the 2024/2025 campaign.

“Everything else is there. The talent, the opportunity and the resources. It’s about us creating that culture and mentality to always be up for the challenge,” the Spanish coach said on Marawa Sports Worldwide.

“(To believe) that no matter where, no matter who, no matter the circumstances – we are going to get the result. We are in that process to make this possible.”

Based on their first-leg performance versus Disciples this process is still a work in progress. However, with a comfortable victory in the second stanza of the Champions League contest Riveiro’s men could take a major leap towards becoming mentality monsters. DM

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Early season rustiness

Confidence boost