Orlando Pirates return to Betway Premiership action this week knowing that they can ill-afford any more dropped points if they are to keep pace with early title favourites Mamelodi Sundowns.
The Buccaneers have been forced to juggle their domestic campaign with their CAF Champions League commitments, leaving them with games in hand over Sundowns. Their continental assignment was completed on Saturday when Pirates defeated Mauritius side La Cure Waves 3-1 at the Orlando Amstel Arena to advance 3-1 on aggregate.
Pirates currently occupy second position with 13 points from five matches, while Sundowns are sitting at the summit with 20 points from eight matches. The actual gap is therefore seven points, rather than eight, although the Buccaneers have three games in hand.
That makes the next few weeks particularly important for the Soweto giants.
The first of those catch-up fixtures comes on Thursday, September 17, when Pirates host Durban City at the Orlando Amstel Arena. The match is scheduled for 7.30pm according to the Premier Soccer League’s official fixture listing.
Pirates will then have little time to recover before travelling to Rustenburg for another league assignment against Marumo Gallants on Sunday, September 20. The match is scheduled for 15:00 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.
The two matches present Pirates with an opportunity to reduce Sundowns’ advantage and put themselves firmly back into the title conversation.
A maximum six points from the two encounters would take Pirates to 19 points, leaving them just one point behind Sundowns’ current tally of 20, although the Brazilians will continue to have games in hand.
Sundowns, meanwhile, are also preparing for a demanding period as they turn their attention back to continental football. The defending African champions recently surrendered their perfect league record when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Chippa United on September 12. Despite dropping two points, they remain comfortably at the top of the domestic standings.
For Pirates, however, the immediate priority is clear: win the catch-up games and keep the pressure on Sundowns.
The Buccaneers’ ability to successfully navigate the congested schedule could ultimately determine whether they remain genuine contenders for the Betway Premiership crown or allow Sundowns to build an advantage that becomes increasingly difficult to overturn.