Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine rises to the occassion to deny Mamelodi Sundown an attacking opportunity at FNB Stadium on Sunday.
Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Orlando Pirates ensured that the Betway Premiership is still alive as they beat log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday, trimming the gap at the top to 15 points. Pirates now need just five wins to ensure that they go level with Sundowns on points, and they can make strides to achieve that if they win their four games in hand.
With Independent Media's Mihlali Baleka having covered the game at FNB Stadium, he looks at three talking points from the contest.
Sundowns are the team to beat in the land. As such, they earned the moniker of 4x4 after winning with four goals in most games, including thumping Pirates 4-1 in Pretoria. Their impressive run of form made them clear favourites going into the game at the Calabash, but the Sea Robbers changed the script and came out on top. That win didn’t only boost Pirates’ hopes of clinching the title for the first time since 2012, but it also sent out a message to the rest of the teams in the league that Sundowns are beatable. The Brazilians have seven games to wrap up their campaign and possibly bag their eighth title in succession, but it’s perhaps noteworthy that they won’t have it easy.
Relebohile Mofokeng has been under heavy criticism in recent weeks as his form dipped after not assisting or scoring regularly like he did when he started the season. But the 20-year-old proved that form is temporary while class is permanent, as he could have possibly won the title for Pirates with his brace on Sunday. Mofokeng’s brace will not only boost his confidence heading into the final stretch of the season, but it will also come in handy for his international career with Bafana Bafana. Bafana coach Hugo Broos is a huge admirer of the teenager. So much so that he believes that Mofokeng will return to his old self when he called him up for the World Cup qualifiers in the next two weeks.
José Riveiro is the highest-capped Pirates coach after sitting for his 121st game on Sunday, two more than his predecessor, the Dutchman Ruud Krol. But while Krol might be trailing the Spaniard, he won the title in his last season with Pirates, something that Riveiro is yet to achieve. With his contract coming to an end this season, winning the league title could save Riveiro’s job, and he might be rewarded with an extension come June. Pirates’ management shouldn’t look at that, though. Riveiro is their best shot at redemption going forward. Not only has he won five trophies, but he’s also integrated youngsters into the team.