Lekgwathi: It’s Now In Pirates’ Hands To En…

Abdeslam Ouaddou during the Betway Premiership match between Stellenbosch FC and Orlando Pirates

Former Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi believes the Buccaneers now have the perfect opportunity to finally end Mamelodi Sundowns’ dominance of South African football, after the title race took another dramatic twist this week.

Pirates kept their Betway Premiership hopes alive with a crucial 2-0 victory over Stellenbosch FC at Athlone Stadium on Tuesday night, bouncing back in style to move within touching distance of the summit.

Read: Ndlovu A Dirty Player? Chiefs Coach Weighs-In

The Buccaneers produced another assured display in front of a sold-out crowd in the Mother City, reducing the pressure on themselves ahead of a decisive round of fixtures.

Their hopes received a further boost on Wednesday evening when log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a 1-1 draw by Kaizer Chiefs.

That result leaves Sundowns at the top of the standings on 65 points after 28 matches, while Pirates are second with 62 points from 27 games, with the Buccaneers still holding a game in hand.

Speaking exclusively to the Siya crew, Lekgwathi said the league needed a genuine title challenge after years of Sundowns’ dominance, and believes Pirates are now in a strong position to push the race all the way to the final day.

“I think it’s everyone’s wish because of a team winning a league eight times in a row,” Lekgwathi said.

“They need a challenge. In the previous years, I think Pirates have been challenging Sundowns. But this year, it’s a different story. Winning a league with five to seven games to go, it’s boring.

“But now, I think it’s going to go to the wire. And this is what I said. I even suggested that the PSL might need a helicopter on the final day to decide where the trophy will finally be delivered. I remember our time, it used to be like that, not knowing where it’s going, Pirates or other teams, and the helicopter would just go left and right.”

The former Buccaneers skipper believes the momentum is now with Pirates, especially considering the quality and depth within the squad assembled by the club’s leadership.

“For me, I think it’s just to take one game at a time for Pirates. Obviously, in the end, if they make sure that they win their game on Saturday, they will be on the same points as Sundowns. And that is going to give them motivation going to the end,” he explained.

“But for me, I don’t see them losing any of the remaining games. I don’t see it with their performances, unless the coach comes up with another starting line-up or something.

“Looking at their team, no. The chairman, Mpumi and Nkosana (Khoza), assembled a good team. People were saying they let this one and that one go, but Pirates is not a one-man team.

“Any player can go, they still have other good players. The players who come into the team adjust very well and settle very well.”

Lekgwathi also pointed to the impact of some of the newer faces in the squad, including rising forward Yanela Mbuthuma, as evidence of the club’s strong culture and continuity.

“People talk about Mbuthuma this and that, but the boy is playing his heart out,” Lekgwathi added.

Read: Chiefs’ Improvement Good For SA Football, Says Da Gama

“For me, I think it’s going to go to the wire. It’s in their hands, and I don’t see Orlando Pirates losing any of the remaining games when I analyse them.

“I don’t see them losing home and away. It’s going to be nice for them to have a chance of winning the league. Yho, I’m telling you, I don’t think we’ll sleep that night, if they win the league,” he said.

Related tags