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Sthembiso Nkabinde

Are Orlando Pirates real Premier Soccer League title challengers? Bucs keep up with Mamelodi Sundowns after perfect start to the season

Orlando Pirates’ impressive start to the PSL campaign continued as they swept aside Richards Bay in their latest assignment.

In the absence of Monnapule Saleng, Kabelo Dlamini stepped up and ensured the Buccaneers got over the line against the Natal Rich Boyz.

The Soweto giants, though, were made to sweat by the KwaZulu-Natal outfit as they had to show persistence and determination to break through a resilient Bay at a wet and windy King Zwelithini.

Pirates are now making a serious case for the PSL title as they are currently one of the two teams that are unbeaten alongside defending champions Sundowns.

Here, GOAL looks at the small details that make Jose Riveiro’s charges a serious contender for the PSL title, as they emerge as the closest challengers for Sundowns.

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  • Kabelo Dlamini and Relebohile Mofokeng, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    Bright start to the season 

    Bucs have had a bright start to the season, winning all three of their games so far this season for a perfect start, matching the defending champions.

    The Soweto giants are aware that they will have to first match Sundowns in the early parts of the campaign before going one better before they can dethrone them.

    And so far, so good for Riveiro’s charges as they have won all of their three matches, beating Chippa United, Polokwane City and the Natal Rich Boyz.

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  • Jose Riveiro, Orlando PiratesBackpage

    A sign of consistency 

    Sundowns have been a dominant force in the PSL in the past decade, beating just about every opponent that has been out in front of them.

    Their consistency has been the reason why they have been crowned champions for the past seven campaigns, and they look like they could well make it eight in a row.

    There’s no doubt that any team that has any intentions of dethroning them will need to put together a winning run and some consistency that will match the Tshwane giants.

    Bucs have so far been up to that task, but this is only a start and the Mayfair club needs to maintain this kind of form for the whole season if they are to stand a chance.

  • Gaston Sirino (Kaizer Chiefs), Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns) and Deano Van Rooyen (Orlando Pirates)GOAL GFX

    What Downs can do, we can

    Sundowns, under new leadership in head coach Manqoba Mngqithi, have seemingly picked up where they left off under Rhulani Mokwena last season.

    The Tshwane giants have a perfect record in the PSL, regardless of an indifferent start in the MTN 8 where they were eliminated in the early stages.

    But Riveiro’s Pirates have so far proven that they are up to the task of keeping up with the Brazilians this season, matching them every step of the way up to this point.

  • Oswin Appollis & Monnapule Saleng, Orlando Pirates vs Polokwane City, September 2024Backpagepix

    No Saleng, No problem 

    Saleng has displayed the sort of form that saw him become Pirates’ most important player two seasons ago as he burst onto the scene.

    The Bafana Bafana international might have fallen off last season, but he seems up to the task in the current campaign after his blistering start.

    Bucs, though, had to do it without him against Richards Bay after he sustained an injury in the game against Polokwane City where he was on the scoresheet. 

    In his absence, Dlamini was on hand to give Pirates the maximum points and keep their perfect start to the season going.

  • Evidence Makgopa, Orlando Pirates, September 2024Backpagepix

    Can Bucs keep it up?

    Pirates now need to maintain their perfect start to pile the pressure on the Tshwane giants as they look to clinch their first league title in over a decade.

    They will first have to turn their attention to the MTN8 final against Stellenbosch on Saturday as they look to cap off a brilliant start to the campaign with a trophy - their third straight Wafa Wafa title.

    They then resume their PSL campaign with a clash against struggling AmaZulu on 25 October as they will look to maintain their strong start to the season.

  • Gilberto of Orlando Pirates Backpagepix

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