Orlando Pirates legend Andries Sebola believes Mamelodi Sundowns are simply too strong to be caught in the current title race.
Mamelodi Sundowns Extend Lead Over Orlando Pirates
After this weekend’s results, Sundowns have extended their lead at the top of the league to 18 points, following Orlando Pirates’ 2-0 loss to Marumo Gallants.
“I don’t see Sundowns losing any matches from here on out… maybe one or two draws,” Sebola told Sowetan. “On the other hand, it will be difficult for Pirates to win all their remaining games, especially as some key players are starting to lose form.”
Sebola pointed out injuries and dips in form among Pirates’ players, saying, “Patrick Maswanganyi suffered a muscle injury in the last game against Cape Town City and had to be stretchered off. This shows he’s been overworked. [Relebohile] Mofokeng hasn’t been playing his best, and defensively, they’ve been shaky since [Thabiso] Sesane got injured. It would take something extraordinary for Pirates to cause Sundowns any trouble in this title race,” he concluded.
Orlando Pirates Confirm CAF Champions League Quarterfinals
In other news, Orlando Pirates have confirmed their place in the CAF Champions League quarterfinals, where they will face Algerian giants MC Alger.
Full Statement: “Orlando Pirates will continue their CAF Champions League journey with a return to Algeria, where they were drawn against 1976 champions MC Alger. The winner of this two-legged tie will meet the victor of the clash between Egyptian side Pyramids and Moroccan club AS FAR in the semifinals.
The knockout stage of Africa’s top club competition will begin in early April, with the remaining eight teams battling for a place in the semifinals. All four matchups for the quarterfinals were determined in a live draw held in Doha, where each team discovered their path to continental glory.
The first leg of the tie will be in Algeria, with the return leg taking place at Orlando Stadium. This will be the first-ever meeting between these two teams, both of which made history in their respective countries by winning their first continental titles.
MC Alger, affectionately known as “The Doyen,” are making their third appearance in the quarterfinals and their ninth appearance overall in the competition. They will look to match their impressive debut run when they were crowned champions.
For Pirates, this marks their return to the knockout stages of the competition, having last featured in 2013, when they were runners-up. Under coach Jose Riveiro, Pirates will aim to secure their second CAF Champions League title, adding to their 1995 victory. They will draw confidence from an unbeaten group stage, where they were one of only two teams to finish the round without a loss.
However, the challenge will be tough, as MC Alger boasts the best defensive record across all four groups and leads their domestic league.
The highly anticipated quarterfinals will begin on April 1, with the second leg taking place a week later. CAF will announce the specific fixture dates and kick-off times in due course.”
