THE ball is in Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou to make sure they finish the business against Orbit College on Saturday to be crowned champions.
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Orlando Pirates could officially be crowned the Betway Premiership champions if they beat Orbit College in their season finale at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).
A victory would see the Buccaneers finish the season on 69 points, leapfrogging current log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns (68 points from 30 games) and ending a 14-year league trophy drought.
Given the magnitude of the game, superior squad depth, and unbeaten streak, Pirates are expected to do the business in Mbombela – win the title and possibly further subject Orbit College to the relegation quagmire. Orbit College currently sits in 15th place with 24 points, level with Marumo Gallants, desperately fighting to avoid the Promotion Play-offs.
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has stressed that the team must stick to plan and not get carried away, unlike most supporters, who prematurely celebrated a triumph over Durban City in the penultimate game before the match got underway at Orlando Amstel Arena.
That’s why below, we look at three areas that Pirates must do correctly on the day to be crowned the champions of the land for the first time in 14 years.
Bring scoring boots
Pirates have been the second-best scoring team in the league this season, netting 56 goals – one behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns (57 goals). But despite their ruthlessness, they were off-beat against City, with the match ending goalless. Given the fact that anything other than a win against Orbit won't be enough to secure the title, they can’t be blunt in front of goal.
Keep solid defence
Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has been outstanding this season, keeping a record-extending 20 clean sheets – thanks to his exploits and the solid work of his defence. Chaine has to ensure that he adds another clean sheet to his already impressive tally, as that would also ensure that Pirates do not lose the game.
Don’t concede first
While Chaine has been fantastic in goal, in the last three games in which he conceded first, Pirates have failed to bounce back and win the matches. Instead, they’ve only been able to secure a point. It will be crucial that Pirates take the game by the scruff of the neck from the outset against Orbit, as that will allow them to quickly settle and ensure that they play according to their plan, instead of being forced to alter their structure and chase for the equaliser and winner.