Orlando Pirates are looking less likely to win the league following their devastating loss to Mamelodi Sundowns this past weekend.
Going down 4-1 at Loftus Versfeld means the Buccaneers are now six points from Masandawana. Their dominant display reinforced their status as the top team in the PSL having only lost one league match this season.
Former Orlando Pirates coach-turned-player agent, Mike Makaab says the league is not out of reach for the Sea Robbers.
“If Pirates win their game in hand, we talk about six points. Pirates have got to play Sundowns at the Orlando Stadium, and it’s happening sooner rather than later,” he said on Gagasi FM.
“I believe that that could be a very, very vital game for both teams. If Sundowns do a double, it’s gonna be very difficult for Pirates to claw back, let’s call it nine points. Okay. Six points is definitely doable.”
Orlando Pirates might miss out on the league Again…
The former Bucs coach though feels the Sea Robbers lack depth in their squad to compete with Sundowns for the entire season.
“My only concern is, does Orlando Pirates have the depth in their squad to be challenging on so many fronts? Time will tell. I think they still need a couple of transfer windows to bolster the entire squad,” Makaab added.
“But you know, for those who start complaining about their coach, you should be very disappointed in yourselves because, at the end of the day, this man has taken a team that was struggling to a team that has won, I think, five trophies, if I’m not mistaken.”
Having started the league with seven straight wins, Orlando Pirates started losing momentum and dropped nine points away from home. Infact, Jose Riveiro’s men only won just four of their last seven matches. Makaab has given praise the the Pirates coach.
“Okay. In three seasons, they are challenging for the league title, it doesn’t matter. And still, whether they finished top of their group in the Caf Champions League, and they are still in the cup. So at the end of it all, I think Riviero has done a remarkable job. Mamelodi Sundowns is just an incredibly well-oiled machine,” he said.
Orlando Pirates still have 16 matches to win the league but if that were to happen, then Downs need to drop atleast 10 points.
Can Pirates catch Sundowns?
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