Orlando Pirates fans have found their voices again this season after five consecutive wins across all competitions.
The season started brightly for the Buccaneers under Abdeslam Ouaddou in the MTN8 quarter-finals. A 2-0 win over Polokwane City promised so much, but back-to-back losses in the Betway Premiership raised eyebrows.
An inspired performance against Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the MTN8 semi-finals got some fans excited. Still, it was their ability to come back from both legs against the Betway Premiership defending champions that re-energised the team.
Four straight league wins and the MTN8 triumph have brought excitement to the Pirates fans. New players appear to have settled in and are doing the job for Ouaddou early in the season.
A convincing 2-0 against Lioli in the CAF Champions League in the preliminary stages had edged the Buccaneers a step closer to the next round. With attackers finding it easy to score goals, it might be the club’s best season if they replicate the form.
Pirates fans are worried, though and here’s why…
Last season, the Buccaneers started their season like a house on fire and bagged the MTN8 trophy. In the league, the Sea Robbers were cruising, winning their first seven matches; however, things fell apart in January when Jose Riveiro’s men started dropping points. Their CAF CL campaign was impressive, forcing some of their matches to be postponed.
With Sundowns playing more games, the pressure was on Pirates to catch up, and they failed to do so. At the end of the season, the Buccaneers finished more than 10 points behind Masandawana and only had the MTN8 to show despite having been in a position to win a treble at one point.
Pirates are now fifth in the Betway Premiership, and fans are worried that the team will once again fall short if the PSL keep postponing their matches. They have played two matches fewer than the log leaders Sekhukhune United.