Orlando Pirates are undoubtedly the in-form team in the league right now, but they tend to lose crucial matches throughout the season.
The Buccaneers can play over 40 matches in a season and only lose five times, yet three of those defeats can cost them the league title or a spot in the CAF Champions League.
In the last campaign, they suffered only one loss in the CAF Champions League, but that defeat proved detrimental as they were eliminated in the semi-finals.
It seems that history is repeating itself this season. After advancing to the second preliminary round, Orlando Pirates needed to defeat Saint Eloi Lupopo to qualify for the group stages.
The Buccaneers have historically struggled to get past the preliminary rounds, and this season was no different as they lost to Lupopo in a penalty shootout.
Why are Orlando Pirates losing key matches?
Last year, the Buccaneers won their first seven league matches but losses to Cape Town City and Stellenbosch halted their progress. The bigger picture was the CAF Champions League, having already won the MTN8 for the third successive season.
In the second leg of the CAF CL semi-final, Orlando Pirates took the lead twice but ended up losing 3-2 to Pyramids. Pressure got to them and they failed to contain the Egyptian giants despite being the better team that night.
A month later, the Sea Robbers failed to defend the Nedbank Cup after going down 2-1 to rivals Kaizer Chiefs in the final.
Going into that match, Pirates had beaten Chiefs 2-1 a week before and were favourites to get a sixth successive win over Amakhosi. Despite having an upper hand in the first half, they collapsed with 15 minutes to go and were punished for their poor defending.
On 06 December, Orlando Pirates play Marumo Gallants in the Carling Knockout Cup final. Although Abdeslam Ouaddou’s charges have won six of their last seven finals, they have only won the Carling KO once in nine finals.
It may appear that when there’s pressure of winning a big trophy, the Bucs players suddenly collapse just like Mamelodi Sundowns. Masandawana have lost two cup finals to Pirates and the CAF CL final to Pyramids.