Fifteen-time PSL winners and eight-consecutive- league champions Mamelodi Sundowns are really feeling the heat this season. Despite Orlando Pirates dropping two crucial points on Friday, Bucs are still breathing heavily down their necks with only a handful of matches remaining in the title race.
Gone are those days when Downs won the league at a canter, with about six matches remaining, and rendering the South African professional league a one-man team and what is called a farmer’s league in local diski parlance.
This season, truth be told, even their success-spoilt supporters are having sleepless nights with the way the Buccaneers are encroaching on their territory, threatening to wrestle the league title away from those yellow walls at their Chloorkop headquarters.
In fact, each and every team in the league must be envious of the revolution at the Buccaneers.
Pound for pound, Bucs did their homework, bought players cleverly and assembled a formidable, fearsome squad. They seem to be tired and embarrassed of playing bridesmaid to Sundowns year in and year out.
And to show their intent and anger, Pirates are scoring goals like crazy. They buried TS Galaxy and Golden Arrows under an avalanche of goals, breaking PSL records by scoring 11 goals in those two matches.
Attackers Relebohile Mofokeng and Oswin Appollis are as frightening and dangerous as the Menendez brothers, Erik and Lyle – slaying clubs with sheer menace.
This time around, Sundowns are banking on experience and a two-point lead at the top of the log table.
You could see when Pirates were pulverising Arrows, Sundowns managed the game and cushioned their 1-0 lead against Durban City – it was all about the points at that moment.
But that may not be enough for the Brazilians; one slip-up can see them playing second fiddle once again, and the Buccaneers are just waiting and eager to pounce on that one needle hole in their quest for glory.
Having said that, you do not win the league on paper. Sundowns are seasoned campaigners, and their players love winning trophies more than they love themselves.
The resurgent Kaizer Chiefs could play a major role in the destiny of the league trophy.
Amakhosi, who have been blowing hot and cold this season, still have to play against both Sundowns and the Buccaneers. Chiefs seemed to have regained their form and are a sure bet for a CAF Confederation Cup spot, should they finish third on the table.
Amakhosi have somehow been a little tricky for Sundowns, while they seem a bit of daily bread for Bucs, who manhandled them 3-0 in the last derby in February.
It is unlikely for Chiefs to lose the two matches, and so, whoever they can beat or hold to a draw, could tilt the scales to the other team. The last seven rounds of matches are going to be one hell of a rollercoaster ride.
Sundowns and Pirates should be lauded for giving the fans a spectacle and for nipping the farmer’s league in the bud.
It really is nail-biting stuff this season…
- Mamelodi Sundowns, with 15 PSL titles and eight consecutive league wins, are under pressure this season.
- Orlando Pirates missed an opportunity by dropping two crucial points recently.
- Despite Pirates' slip, they remain close competitors to Sundowns in the title race.
- The league race is intense with only a few matches left.
- Full story available in the Sunday World e-edition.
