Orlando Pirates’ hopes of clinching the league title took a heavy blow after their 4-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns this past weekend, leaving them six points behind the leaders. Sundowns’ dominant performance reaffirmed their position as the PSL’s top team, with only one loss this season.
Despite this setback, former Orlando Pirates coach and player agent Mike Makaab believes the title is still within reach for the Buccaneers.
“If Pirates win their game in hand, they can close the gap to just six points. They still have to play Sundowns at Orlando Stadium, and that game could be crucial,” Makaab said on Gagasi FM. “If Sundowns do the double, it will be tough for Pirates to recover, but six points is certainly achievable.”
However, Makaab expressed concern over the lack of depth in Pirates’ squad to sustain a long-term challenge for the title. “My worry is whether Pirates have the depth to compete across multiple competitions. They still need a couple of transfer windows to strengthen their squad,” he added.
Despite the challenges, Makaab lauded Pirates’ progress under coach Jose Riveiro. “In three seasons, they’ve gone from struggling to being contenders for the league title, and they’ve won five trophies along the way,” he noted. “They’ve also made it to the Caf Champions League group stages and are still in the cup. Riveiro has done a remarkable job.”
While Orlando Pirates still have 16 matches to close the gap, Mamelodi Sundowns would need to drop at least 10 points for the Sea Robbers to have a chance at the title.
