It seems as if Orlando Pirates will find it very hard to
defend the Absa Premiership trophy. The Buccaneer’s ship is descending. They
haven’t done well so far in the Absa league with seven games played they have
already lost three games. As the defending champions they were supposed to be continuing
where they left off last season. The team was suppose to be on fire since they
have introduced big guns like Benni McCarthy, Rudolf Bester and the forever
consistent defender Siyabonga Sangweni. Instead of being hot, the bones are
locked inside the deep freezer.
Failing to get a point against teams like Maritzburg United
and Free State Stars gives a clear picture of how hard will things will be for
their coach Julio Ceasar Leal to restore the reputation of the Sea robber who
won the treble last season and has already defended one trophy. Leal will have
to work hard in combining the new players and the old ones. He will have to do
that sooner or later as the hopes of defending the league title are under
threat. He must be aware of the pressure upon him since he took over from the
coach who has won the hearts of their faithful fans, Ruudi Krol.
Contrariwise SuperSport united seems to have gained their
confidence back. Matsatsantsa Apitori hasn’t lost any game since the beginning
of the season. They also seem to be sharp on the target. In seven games played
they have scored 13 goals while the defending champions have persuaded the ball
to kiss the net only six times. SuperSport is currently on position one on the
log followed by the Motsepe boys, Mamelodi Sundowns who are showing hunger for
this title, they are sharp before the poles. As for Matsatsantsa Apitori it
still remains a question whether they will uphold their fine form. Remember the
old saying, “history can repeat itself” if it’s true then we can expect the
return of SuperSport for the third time within 5 years.
With the Confederation of African football (CAF) coming soon
it raises serious questions whether Orlando Pirates will cope with the pressure
or not. Currently the team looks exhausted. Players like Oupa Manyisa, Andile
Jali, Moneeb Joseph and Tlou Sekgobela are sometimes called to assist in the
national team. They played a major rule in winning the treble. It then brings a
question whether the mighty Bucs of the Iron Duke will cope with this heaviness
on their shoulders.
Playing in the CAF competition is one of the things which
lured the likes of Benni into signing for the Sea Robbers. Perhaps that courage
to win the CAF can pass to other players. I must also mention that the road is
still long to the crown, and if coaches can find the correct method to use
their resources they can shock many. We have seen over the past few years being
stolen on the last day, but as for Pirates as defending champions, they should
be proving why they are called champions.
Currently Bucs are on
the eighth position and their next game is will be on the 15th
October against the rising AmaZulu that trashed Ajax Cape town 4-0. They gave
Pirates a hard time towards the end last season. There is no doubt that Bucs
will have to go all-out to get the full package of points on the day.
Story by Luvo Mlobeli/ Leave your comments for me below the comment box or send them via email to sportxtra@goxtranews.com
©The views expressed above do not in any way represent GoXtra News, but are those of the concerned writer. 2011. Follow us on twitter here Find us on Facebook here /leave your comments below or email: editor@goxtranews. For publication ERRORS: publisher@goxtranews.com
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