THE COACH of Orlando Pirates, Abdeslam Ouaddou, hopes that Richards Bay FC will be able to do them a favor by holding Mamelodi Sundowns so as not to open a big gap at the top of the Betway Premiership log.
Pirates also lost points playing in a 2-2 draw with Richards Bay on Friday, at the Mhlathuze Sports Complex, Richards Bay.
The loss of points has given Sundowns the opportunity to open a gap at the top of the Premiership log as currently these teams who are in contention for the league title are separated by one point.
Sundowns are still in the lead with 56 points from 23 games, Pirates are in second place with 55 from 24 games, which gives Sundowns the opportunity to open a gap as they are still a game behind.
Sandawane are still in the Caf Champions League, and will return to the Premiership with a home match against Stellenbosch FC on April 22, followed by an away match against Richards Bay on April 25, in Mhlathuze.
As for Zimnyama, who have six games left to wrap up the season, they will return to the field with a home game against MaZulu FC on Saturday, at the Orlando Amstel Arena, Soweto.
“I hope that Richards Bay can catch Sundowns. They are an organized and fighting team.
“I think it is one of the teams playing in the PSL, which knows how to compete with other teams, which makes it more difficult than any team they play against in their home stadium.
“The important thing for us is to keep working, fight until the last game. This is not the time to give up hope,” said Ouaddou who praised the commitment shown by his team who came back in the last minutes to score the equalizing goal in Richards Bay.
After dropping points in a 1-1 draw with Siwelele FC on March 14, Zimnyama bounced back with a flurry of wins in two consecutive games by beating TS Galaxy 6-0 and Lamontville Golden Arrows 5-0 last week, before dropping other points in Mhlathuze.
“Then it was disappointing to concede two goals, but I also have to praise my players for being able to come back and score two more. They showed courage and fighting spirit until the end.”