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Jose Riveiro of Orlando Pirates 16-9GOAL GFX
Celine Abrahams

Title hopes hanging by a thread: Can Orlando Pirates still mount a serious Premier Soccer League challenge or is the race over?

The Buccaneers find themselves in a precarious position going up against Mamelodi Sundowns, as the PSL season heads into its crucial stages.

While the 12-point gap between Orlando Pirates and league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns appears daunting, the Buccaneers still have a fighting chance to mount a title challenge. However, their pursuit of glory is far from straightforward.

With games in hand, fixture congestion and the need for key players to regain form, Pirates must navigate a tough path if they are to stay in contention.

Here, GOAL takes a look at the challenges ahead and what the team needs to do in order to go head-to-head with the Brazilians for the league crown.

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  • Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Deception of the 12-Point gap

    At first glance, Pirates trailing Sundowns by 12 points suggests the title race is all but over. 

    However, with three games in hand, the Soweto giants still have an opportunity to close the gap significantly. Winning those games would put them within touching distance of the Brazilians, turning what seems like an insurmountable deficit into a real contest.

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  • Jayden Adams and Marks Munyai, TS Galaxy vs Mamelodi SundownsBackpage

    Other PSL teams would have to step up

    At the moment, Pirates can’t do it alone, they need help from the rest of the league. Sundowns have dominated South African football in recent years, often cruising to the title unchallenged. 

    If other PSL teams can take points off Sundowns, it would give Pirates a much-needed boost in their quest to hand coach Jose Riveiro his first PSL title since joining the club back in 2022.

  • Kabelo Dlamini and Peter Shalulile, Mamelodi Sundowns vs Orlando PiratesBackpage

    A must-win against Sundowns on 15 March

    No matter how well Pirates perform in their other fixtures, the real test comes on 15 March when they face Sundowns. Anything less than a victory could spell the end of their title ambitions. 

    A draw or a loss would likely leave them too far behind, making this a defining moment in their season. It’s a must-win game that will determine whether they are true title contenders or just chasing shadows.

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  • Thalente Mbatha, Deon Hotto and Patrick Maswanganyi, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Balancing multiple competitions

    Competing on multiple fronts adds another layer of complexity to Pirates’ season. They are still in the Caf Champions League, the Nedbank Cup while dealing with league encounters, meaning fixture congestion will test their squad depth. 

    Managing fatigue and squad rotation will be crucial, as any slip-up in the league could end their title hopes.


  • Monnapule Saleng, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Get key players back into the fold

    Getting Monnapule Saleng back to full fitness and top form is non-negotiable. Saleng, in particular, has found himself on the fringes at Pirates despite his proven attacking quality. With reports dismissing a move to Al Ahly, his focus should now be on regaining his place in the team. 

    Given Bucs’ demanding schedule, rotating the squad effectively is crucial and Saleng’s creativity and goal-scoring threat could be a game-changer. If used wisely, he could help the Buccaneers maintain their competitive edge in the title race while managing the workload of key players.

  • Jose Riveiro, Orlando PiratesBackpage

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