Orlando Pirates legend Innocent Mayoyo has admitted that the league title is effectively out of reach for his former team, conceding the title to Mamelodi Sundowns.
The former goalkeeper pointed out that the Buccaneers’ chances were severely impacted after their disappointing 2-0 defeat to Marumo Gallants this past weekend. According to Mayoyo, the team’s aspirations for the league title are over, and it’s time to face reality.
“The league is gone,” Mayoyo told KickOff. “No one can dispute that, and it’s painful because we know the situation all too well. From my experience with the South African league, I can confidently say the title is lost. We shouldn’t pretend this is an accident.”
Mayoyo emphasized that the club’s recent signings have not lived up to expectations, with players like Miguel Timm and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo no longer essential to the squad. He suggested that coach Jose Riveiro needs to address these issues and rethink the direction of the team.
In addition, Mayoyo believes Sundowns have a clear edge over Pirates, particularly in terms of mentality and experience. He criticized the club for signing players without proven success, saying that they need to bring in individuals with a stronger mentality and a winning mindset.
“People need to stop comparing Pirates to Sundowns. That’s where they go wrong. We must accept that this Pirates team is still learning how to compete on the African stage,” he explained.
Currently, Orlando Pirates are 18 points behind Sundowns after 16 league matches. While they still have four games in hand, Mayoyo believes it would take a miraculous effort for them to secure the title this season.
