A tougher than steel Mamelodi Sundowns’ run could prove to be impossible to break, even for a tenacious Orlando Pirates side.
The Premier Soccer League title has been held hostage for the past seven seasons by Mamelodi Sundowns’ dominance and despite the many attempts from all-comers to seize back control of the championship, none have prevailed so far.
It has come as no surprise that none have come as close as Orlando Pirates, especially considering their consistency in the past three seasons in all competitions.
The Buccaneers have had a couple of second-place finishes in recent seasons, but they have lacked the spark and endurance needed to keep up with the 17-time league champions.
Pound for pound, Pirates have a squad that could take the Brazilians out of their comfort zone, and despite their promising start to the season, they find themselves having to consistently reach out to a bar that is constantly raised with every game the champions play.
☠️ ⏪️ 𝗬𝗔𝗗𝗛𝗖𝗧𝗔𝗠 ⏪️
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) February 23, 2025
🎤 @van_deano
🆚 @CapeTownCityFC
🏟 Orlando Stadium
🗓️ 22 February 2025
⚫️⚪️🔴⭐️#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/wH6oK51iP6
The Sea Robbers are on the chase for their first league title since they last won it under caretaker coach Augusto Palacios in the 2011/12 season, and for them to win it, they will need to break some of their all-time records.
A mammoth 15 points separate the two challengers, with the second-placed Pirates still with four crucial games in hand.
Winning all of them could bring them 12 points closer, but without any guarantees, the road ahead could prove to be tough and uncertain, with every league fixture they play virtually a final.
The Brazilians are currently on 51 points in the 19 matches they have played so far this season, and on their current form, they could be in line to break their own record number of points in a PSL 30-game season, which currently stands at 73 points from their championship-winning 2023/24 season.
At their best in 30 matches, the Buccaneers have never gone past 61 points, which they last achieved in the 2002/03 season under Zimbabwean mentor Roy Barreto, despite winning two more titles thereafter.
They do, however, still have the keys to their destination, as a win in their crunch match in a fortnight against Sundowns in their own backyard may not only avenge their 4-1 humiliating loss from earlier this month, but it could also send a statement of intent in their title chase.
Without looking too far ahead, Jose Riveiro will need to navigate a tricky period, with some testing fixtures, including a trip to Bloemfontein on Saturday to face Marumo Gallants at the Free State Stadium (5.45pm start), and then Chippa United afterwards, which will be followed by Stellenbosch FC.
Siwelele sa Marumo gave Sundowns a run for their money before they were bullied to a 3-1 loss last week, and they will be hungry for redemption against the Buccaneers, especially after being on the receiving end of an 8-1 rout at the Orlando Stadium last December, with a Tshegofatso Mabasa hat-trick sealing the deal for the former champions.
Riveiro and his troops will be looking for a similar performance to keep the pressure on the champions, and with Gallants vulnerable as the shadow of coach Dan Malesela's departure still looms large, fate could be at work in their title chase.