Catch us if you can.
That’s the message seven-time Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns keep throwing at Orlando Pirates and the rest as they appear poised to bag a record 15th league title in 29 PSL seasons.
The Sunday Times spoke to SuperSport football analyst and Kaizer Chiefs legend William “Coot Cat” Shongwe and coach Zipho Dlangalala about where they think the title is headed, after Pirates — the team that finished second behind the Brazilians in the last two campaigns — showed marked improvement in the first 15 matches this season.
While Shongwe commends Pirates and coach Jose Riveiro for not only being three points behind Sundowns in 15 matches but improving by 11 points at this stage from last season, he’s not convinced they have the capacity to go all the way.
Dlangalala and Shongwe think that with the Caf Champions League and Nedbank Cup still among the titles the Buccaneers are chasing, it will be tough for them to match Sundowns’ points-grinding momentum in the league.
Commendable run
“Let’s not take for granted what Pirates have done [in the first round]. I think it’s important to applaud the effort that they made already in keeping the gap at three points. It’s unfortunate there’s nothing that could have been done about the games they couldn’t play, which puts pressure on them to catch up with Sundowns [who are four games ahead].
“Once you start chasing points and games, it’s never going to be easy. Already Pirates are at a disadvantage. They’re winning but not as convincingly as Sundowns. You turn the page to the Sundowns games, [and they] are hitting everyone, as coach Miguel Cardoso is getting his team right despite all the changes in the technical team and player injuries that have affected them this season,” Shongwe said.
Rotating the team is also one aspect Bucs coach Riveiro has been reluctant to explore, and Dlangalala and Shongwe agree player management may finally catch up with Bucs if their regulars get injured. “That’s [rotation] not the problem for Cardoso, whose starting XI is never the same, even when some key players like Ronwen Williams, Khuliso Mudau and Themba Zwane are out injured. The same cannot be said of Pirates as Riveiro has relied on the same players over a long period of time,” added Dlangalala.
Gung-ho
So confident is Cardoso of his team that he’s not been afraid to start matches with all his main three strikers — Lucas Ribeiro, Peter Shalulile and Iqraam Rayners — resulting in the team winning and scoring a whopping 15 goals in their last four matches before yesterday’s clash against Kaizer Chiefs.
“What gives Sundowns that edge is that teams playing against them sit at the back anyway. Sundowns are like someone who’s got a ticket to board any flight, any time. So, Cardoso might as well open that chance [play all the main strikers] to two or three options so that they get as many goals as they do,” observed Dlangalala.
“This comes with territory; Sundowns have established themselves to say, ‘we decide how the game is going to be played’. They’re not pushing anyone to oblige but they’ve earned that over time; they’ve earned a title to say ‘possession is ours all the time’.”
Dlangalala also commends Pirates for what they’ve done so far but believes the number of matches (21 if they go all the way in all competitions) may just be too much for them in the remaining 12 weeks before the season ends.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.