STAYING at the top of the Betway Premiership log for Orlando Pirates indicates a change in things in this league which has been managed by Mamelodi Sundowns for years.
Pirates are beating their wings in the Premiership where they are tied with Sundowns with 44 points in 19 games. This is not common in South African football since Sundowns are used to winning the league, winning the league with many games left in the season.
The Brazilians have won the league eight times in a row. It is possible that its bad suspension by Pirates is jeopardizing its kingdom with the league it has won under different coaches.
In the previous season of 2024/2025, Sundowns opened a gap of 15 points between them and Pirates after 19 games, although Zimnyama had four games left. It had 51 points, the Pirates have 36 after 15 games.
It has become history that Pirates finally failed to overtake Sundowns. In the 2023/2024 season, Sundowns were on top with 53 points after 21 games. Behind it was Stellenbosch FC with 39 points after 22 games. This meant they needed 11 points from eight games to win the league.
However, this season the stone grinds with another jaw for Sundowns as they are in a heated competition with Pirates. Zimnyama’s coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, said it is good for South African football that no team has opened a points gap at the top of the log.
“The PSL is a strong league, especially this season. We’ve seen that, it’s a long distance race. In the race you don’t lower the margin of victory, so in the remaining games we’ll do our best, see what happens,” said Ouaddou.
“We can see that there is a lot of interest in football. That is good for football and for the fans. If a team leads by 15 points during the season, what would make you want to watch the games? I think this is what the fans want. Two good teams fighting. This is good for South African football.”
On Tuesday, Sundowns may be able to sleep having opened a three-point gap as they will face Orbit College at Olympia Park, Rustenburg, at 7.30 pm.
Pirates will have a chance to equalize when they take on Richards Bay FC at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Wednesday night. As the Brazilians are about to continue the Caf Champions League games, Pirates will have the opportunity to lend them.
Although Pirates are sitting at the top of the log but last week, the coach of Lamontville Golden Arrows, Manqoba Mngithi said he sees Sundowns winning the league title again. In recent weeks, this was said by Eric Tinkler who coaches Sekhukhune United.