Orlando Pirates’ winning streak came to an end after they were held to a goalless draw by Sekhukhune United on Saturday afternoon.
The Buccaneers went into the encounter knowing that only a victory would see them reclaim top spot in the Betway Premiership. However, an uninspired display in Polokwane saw Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side settle for a point, leaving them level on points with Mamelodi Sundowns.
While Pirates still have a game in hand, their subdued performance raised concerns that they could squander that advantage if improvements are not made quickly.
Pressure mounting on Orlando Pirates
Following back-to-back league defeats in August, Pirates responded impressively, collecting 28 points from their first 10 matches.
Their strong league form carried over into domestic cup competitions, where they lifted both the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout Cup.
With two trophies secured within the first five months of the season, there was a growing belief that the Buccaneers could pull clear in the title race during the second half of the campaign.
Did the AFCON break disrupt momentum?
Concerns emerged during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) break, with nine Pirates players involved in the tournament with Bafana Bafana. Fears of fatigue surfaced ahead of the league’s January resumption.
However, Bafana’s exit at the last-16 stage meant Pirates’ players enjoyed close to three weeks of rest, a scenario that appeared favourable for maintaining momentum.
Instead, Orlando Pirates looked out of sorts against Sekhukhune United, struggling to create clear-cut chances or put sustained pressure on the hosts.
The lacklustre display has sparked questions over whether the AFCON break interrupted their rhythm rather than helping them reset.
A mid-season slump is the last thing the Buccaneers need, especially with title rivals Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs continuing to pick up victories.
Orlando Pirates will look to bounce back when they host Magesi FC in their next league outing.