Orlando Pirates assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi is refusing to regard some of their remaining Betway Premiership fixtures, as well as those of Mamelodi Sundowns, as carrying more weight to influence the title race.
The Buccaneers and Masandawana are embroiled in a fierce fight for the league crown. It is one of the intriguing title races in recent seasons.
Pirates narrowly lead the standings with a point better than Mamelodi Sundowns, who trail in second position. However, the Brazilians have a game in hand, which could give them an edge to overtake the Soweto giants and settle two points clear at the top.
Both teams still have to play fellow traditional giants Kaizer Chiefs in their remaining matches. Pirates clash with third-placed Amakhosi in a potentially brutal Soweto Derby showdown at FNB Stadium on Sunday.
Sundowns will then host Chiefs on May 6. Another tricky team in the mix is Stellenbosch FC, who held Sundowns to a 1-all draw at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday night, 22 April.
Just after the Soweto Derby, Pirates will also have to visit the Cape Winelands side for a May 5 showdown, wary of experienced coach Gavin Hunt’s tactical astuteness.
NCIKAZI ON WHETHER CHIEFS AND STELLENBOSCH WILL HAVE A SAY ON WHO WINS THE PSL TITLE
“One danger that we avoid is measuring teams before we play them. The size and name of the team have no consequence on how you perform on the day,” said Ncikazi.
“It’s the analysis. If you look at the matches, we did not do well, where we played draws, you would not have predicted before you played them. So, for me, it’s just to analyse the opponents before we play them.
“We analyse the threat they pose to our team, how we can manipulate and try to impose ourselves. We avoid looking at the names, but we just look at the opponents based on what they do on the field of play.
“Whether it’s Stellenbosch or Orbit at the end, it doesn’t matter. We just have to approach them the same way with the same mentality of trying to get three points.”
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