Orlando Pirates legend Thulasizwe Mbuyane has warned that PSL teams playing the Buccaneers will not make it easy for them in their final six matches.
The Sea Robbers are in the title race together with Mamelodi Sundowns. Masandawana are one point clear of their rivals, but have a game in hand.
If Pirates are to have any chance of winning the Betway Premiership, they need to win all their remaining six games
In an interview with IOL, Mbuyane felt Orlando Pirates have had a great season thus far despite dropping points.
“It would be disappointing if they lose out on the league title after so much work. Apart from that, the team has played very well,” he said.
“The coach has come in and made the team play good football. The players they’ve brought in are performing at a national team level. They are raising the flag high there. So, I think it’s fair to rate them 80% out of 100%. The missing 20% is due to the fact that they’ve dropped points in the last few games where they shouldn’t have.
Mbuyane warns Pirates
“Finishing second on the log won’t be that bad. We can still qualify for Africa, so they need to cement their top-two spot. It won’t be easy for both Pirates and Sundowns.”
Mbuyane warned that teams will make it difficult for Pirates to win matches.
“You have to understand that the other teams also go into matches aiming to win,” he added.
“They are not going there to donate points. They want to perform and show that they deserve to be there. Obviously, in every game that you play – especially if you are Pirates – teams come up against you wanting to prove a point. Either they want to disappoint the team, or they want to impress and be signed. So, they go out and fight.”
Mbuyane won back-to-back trebles with Orlando Pirates during his playing days and he was in the Bucs squad which last won the league.