Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s Orlando Pirates’ long wait for Betway Premiership glory is now down to 90 minutes.
After Saturday’s goalless stalemate with Durban City at a sold-out Orlando Amstel Arena, the Buccaneers must beat Orbit College FC at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday at 15:00. Otherwise Mamelodi Sundowns will lift a ninth record championship since the 2017/18 season.
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ORLANDO PIRATES HAVE ONE JOB TO DO
The situation is straight cut. Victory for Orlando Pirates and the championship is theirs for the first time since the 2011/12 season.
The Sea Robbers currently sit two points behind Sundowns on the Betway Premiership log with 66 points from 29 matches. Sundowns have 68 points from 30 games.
The Buccaneers have a superior goal difference of +44 compared to Masandawana’s +36, But goal difference only matters if the sides finish level on points. An Orlanod Pirates win is an absolute necessity.
THE BUCCANEERS REMAIN BIG FAVOURITES
Against Durban City, they dominated possession to the tune of 77%, registering 31 shots and 1.45 expected goals, yet failed to find the net. That clinical problem must be resolved in Nelspruit.
Nevertheless, Orlando Pirates have otherwise been the highest scorers in the league with 56 goals in 29 games. Standout scores include the 6-0 win over TS Galaxy, 5-0 over Golden Arrows and 3-0 over bitter Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou was calm after the Durban City draw: “It’s football, and we keep the suspense until the end,” he said. “I said it at the beginning and in the middle of the season that the title would probably be played for until the final day.”
Orbit College, who sit just one point of rock bottom, have everything to play for. Victory could ensure safety if Marumo Gallants for Chippa United lose against Stellenbosch FC or Kaizer Chiefs respectively.