Exclusive I Tso Vilakazi backs Orlando Pirates to end 13-year league drought

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Benedict Vilakazi has painted a hopeful picture of his former club, saying they are a better side than last season and are on the right track to winning their first league title since the 2011/12 campaign.

The Buccaneers are currently on an eight-match unbeaten run in the league and, for the second season running, have surfaced as the primary challengers to Mamelodi Sundowns’ long-held throne.

This season, compared to the last, has been marked by a stronger sense of purpose, with Pirates managing to build early momentum despite the sweeping changes introduced before the campaign began. It is this renewed intent that Vilakazi has found most impressive about the team so far.

Vilakazi, who still holds the record for the most goals scored for the Buccaneers with 58 strikes during his time with the Soweto giants, has been encouraged by how his former side have recovered from their early stumble, which saw them lose their first two league encounters.

He believes their ability to regain their footing, sharpen their performances, and grow into genuine title contenders reflects a team finally ready to challenge at the highest level once more.

“Pirates continued from where they left off last season,” Vilakazi told Independent Newspapers.

“When they began the season with a loss against Sekhukhune United (1-0) and Marumo Gallants (2-1), there would have been thoughts that they were losing themselves, but they have quickly managed to bounce back, and they look good.

“They have good players, and the team is balanced, and I just like how the coach is able to get players together with different combinations, and the team looks organized. You look at the national team; it was Pirates that took Bafana Bafana to the World Cup.”

Having built a strong reputation as cup specialists over the past few seasons, the Sea Robbers now find themselves chasing the one trophy that has continued to evade them for more than a decade. Vilakazi is convinced that this campaign may finally be the one where they break that long wait to win the league title.

“I believe that they are stronger than last season,” he continued.

“And they stand a very good chance of winning the league this season, but they will need to continue doing the same things they are doing currently. The players are consistent in performance both individually and as a group.”

The 43-year-old noted that under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, several players have shown remarkable progress, with the coach’s guidance helping them reach higher performance levels than before.

“I like coach Ouaddou, it’s so easy to see the work the coach does when you look at the players and how they are playing. I like him, and I like how he works with his team and just how he gets players in good shape.

“You look at Sipho Mbule and how he is doing now—he was never like this before. (Thalente) Mbatha has also improved in terms of passing, getting into the box, and combination play; just how Ouaddou has put that team together is so amazing.

“You look at the two young centre backs, (Lebone) Seema and (Mbekezeli) Mbokazi—just amazing—but also a lot of credit needs to go to Sipho Chaine, as with the young centre-back pairing in front of him, he has also played a key role in guiding them.”