Orlando Pirates face big setback in PSL title race after Sekhukhune loss

Comment by Obakeng Meletse

Orlando Pirates may have just played their last strong hand in the Premiership title race.

And as close as they came, their latest defeat to Sekhukhune United could prove to be a critical blow – perhaps the final knock that will make it difficult for them to mount a serious pursuit of their long-awaited 10th league crown.

Coming into the season, the Buccaneers were widely tipped as the most likely challengers to end Mamelodi Sundowns’ dominance.

More than any other team, they seemed best equipped to launch a formidable campaign – and for large parts of the season, they did just that.

Their MTN8 triumph earlier in the season stands as proof of the remarkable foundation laid by Jose Riveiro and his technical team – measured not just in trophies, but in the consistency and conviction of their performances, especially this season.

And while the league title may now be slipping beyond reach following the 1-0 loss to Sekhukhune on Wednesday, the Buccaneers still have a chance to etch their names in history once more as a third consecutive Nedbank Cup lies within grasp, with a monumental Soweto Derby final against Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium in just over a week.

The Nedbank Cup will now take on major importance, especially in light of the team’s most recent results in both the league and the CAF Champions League, where defeats were so significant that they have effectively been eliminated from contention in both competitions.

The 1-0 defeat to Babina Noko at the Orlando Stadium was a sobering moment, highlighting the reality that although the points gap between them and the Brazilians may still be narrowed in terms of points, but there still remains a notable difference in squad quality – a concern that might have to be addressed at the end of the season.

The Sea Robbers arguably possess one of the strongest teams in the league.

But when compared directly to their main rivals, it becomes clear that they fall slightly short in terms of depth and squad options – something that is particularly telling during a congested fixture schedule like the one they are currently navigating.

Relebohile Mofokeng, one of South Africa’s most promising young players, has been at the forefront of Pirates’ campaign this season, featuring in all 21 of their league fixtures.

Unsurprisingly, players like him – and others such as Makhehlene Makhaula, who has played 19 out of 21 matches – are beginning to show signs of fatigue not just physically, but also mentally, and it is starting to take a toll on the team’s overall performance.

And while their semi-final defeat to Pyramids FC in the semi-finals of the Champions League may be partly attributed to inexperience and a few crucial mistakes, it also exposed a deeper issue – the lack of high-impact substitutes who can match the quality of the starting XI. 

This means that, given the significance of every match, Pirates are forced to rely on their top players even against smaller, lower-ranked teams, just to maintain winning momentum and also to consistently compete against a Sundowns side overflowing with options.

That leaves them with no real choice but to field their strongest line-up week in and week out.

To compete for top honours and to remain consistent with the best sides will require some adjustments next season.