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Friday, September 30, 2011

Orlando Pirates: Could the ship be submerged?


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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