Cape Town City’s interim head coach, Muhsin Ertugral, has recently opened up on the strategies Orlando Pirates employed to overcome their opponents and how teams, including his own, counteracted those tactics. Known for his wealth of experience in South African football, Ertugral shared insight into the tactical approach of the Soweto giants, shedding light on their strengths and how other teams have responded to them.
Orlando Pirates, one of South Africa’s most successful football clubs, has long been a dominant force in the Premier Soccer League (PSL). Under their various head coaches, the team has always been a tactical juggernaut, employing diverse systems to overpower their opponents. According to Ertugral, Pirates’ primary strength lies in their ability to control possession and play an aggressive, high-pressing game.

“When I worked with various teams in the PSL, the one thing we always knew about Orlando Pirates was their ability to dominate possession,” said Ertugral in a recent interview. “Their tactical philosophy has always been to keep the ball, create overloads in key areas of the pitch, and stretch teams out with width. Under the current coaching structure, they’ve maintained this approach while adding more flexibility.”
One of the most notable elements of Orlando Pirates’ game has been their high pressing strategy, which is designed to win the ball back quickly in advanced positions. The press forces the opposition into mistakes, enabling Pirates to capitalize on turnovers and launch swift counter-attacks.
Ertugral noted how Pirates’ front players, particularly their wingers and strikers, play an essential role in this high press. Their relentless pressing not only disrupts the opposition’s build-up but also forces the defenders to make rushed decisions.
“They don’t just press for the sake of pressing; they press intelligently,” Ertugral explained. “The way Pirates’ forwards track back and close down space makes it very hard for teams to breathe. It is a tactical discipline that other teams often struggle to counter.”
Beyond the press, Pirates also excel in positional play. Their ability to maintain fluid formations allows them to outnumber opponents in central areas, thus controlling the tempo of the game and forcing their opposition into defensive shapes that are difficult to break down.
While Orlando Pirates’ high press and possession-based play is formidable, Ertugral discussed how opposing teams have managed to exploit weaknesses in their system. The key, according to him, is to break the press and avoid being drawn into a battle of possession.
Ertugral highlighted how teams have often succeeded by countering Pirates’ high press through quick transitions. By playing direct balls into space behind Pirates’ attacking fullbacks, teams can bypass the midfield overloads and take advantage of gaps left by the advanced defenders.
“We saw in a couple of games that if you can break that first wave of the press and play quick, direct balls into the channels behind their fullbacks, you can catch them off balance,” Ertugral explained. “When Pirates commit too many players forward, they leave spaces at the back that can be exploited if you move the ball with precision and speed.”
Cape Town City, during one of their meetings with Pirates, used this strategy effectively. By launching fast counter-attacks after winning the ball in their own half, they were able to punish Pirates’ high defensive line. Ertugral emphasized how crucial it is to have pacey wingers or attacking players who can exploit these moments.
Ertugral also spoke about how the tactical discipline to remain compact in defense is vital when facing Orlando Pirates. Teams must resist the temptation to engage in a possession battle with them, as this plays into Pirates’ strengths. Instead, staying solid defensively, absorbing pressure, and looking for moments to break quickly can disrupt Pirates’ rhythm.
“Pirates thrive on teams playing their style of game—taking risks and engaging in a passing contest. The teams that have had success against them are the ones who remain disciplined, maintain a compact shape, and wait for the right moment to strike,” Ertugral said.
Ertugral cited a number of PSL teams, including Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch, who had adjusted their game plans to neutralize Pirates’ possession-based approach by staying organized defensively and then exploiting Pirates when they pushed too many men forward.
Another element that Ertugral noted was the tactical flexibility that Orlando Pirates demonstrated in their matches. Despite their core system, they were also able to adjust when necessary, sometimes switching to a more direct style of play or pulling players back to defend a lead. This adaptability, Ertugral observed, made them a difficult team to prepare for.
“Pirates’ ability to switch tactics in mid-game is something many teams underestimate,” he said. “They can change formations, adapt to different playing conditions, and manage the tempo of the match, which is what makes them so dangerous. As a coach, you always need to have a Plan B when facing them.”
One of the key aspects of Orlando Pirates’ tactical game, according to Ertugral, is their mental toughness. Pirates often manage to control the psychological aspect of matches, especially when the game gets intense or when their opponents are on the back foot.
“When a team goes behind against Pirates, there’s a sense of inevitability at times,” Ertugral explained. “They maintain that pressure and never seem to panic. This mental fortitude makes it difficult for teams to get back into the game, especially when Pirates are on a roll.”
This mental toughness, combined with their tactical precision, makes Pirates a formidable opponent in the PSL.
Muhsin Ertugral concluded his discussion by emphasizing the importance of preparation and tactical awareness when facing Orlando Pirates. While their tactical philosophy is difficult to break, the key to success lies in maintaining discipline, exploiting spaces, and ensuring that players are mentally prepared for the challenges that come with facing such a well-organized team.
“Pirates are a top side with a lot of quality and depth, and any team playing against them needs to be prepared not just tactically but also mentally,” Ertugral said. “It’s a chess game when you face them. They try to control everything, but with the right approach, you can still get something out of the game.”
With Ertugral at the helm of Cape Town City in an interim capacity, it’s clear that he understands the intricacies of PSL tactics and the challenges posed by a team like Orlando Pirates. His insights into how teams can counteract Pirates’ aggressive, possession-based game provide valuable lessons for any coach or team preparing to face the Soweto giants.