Mamelodi Sundowns defender Aubrey Modiba has reacted to the Betway Premiership title setback experienced by rivals Orlando Pirates, who dropped crucial points against Durban City FC.
The Sea Robbers played to a frustrating goalless draw against Durban City at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday afternoon, missing a golden opportunity to clinch the league title with one match to spare.
For Pirates, a win against the KZN-based side would have taken them to 68 points, level with log leaders Sundowns, but the Buccaneers would have been crowned champions on goal difference.
The Soweto giants are now left with a must-win encounter against Orbit College FC this upcoming weekend to claim maximum points and dethrone Masandawana from the title they have dominated for the past eight seasons.
Abdeslam Ouaddou and his charges will lock horns with Orbit College, who will also present a difficult challenge for Pirates as they are gunning for a win to avoid relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
WHAT AUBREY MODIBA SAID ABOUT ORLANDO PIRATES’ TITLE CHASE
With Pirates facing a make-or-break situation against Mswenko Boys, Modiba has revealed that he hopes Orbit College holds the Ghosts to a draw so his side can win the league for the ninth time in a row.
“Obviously, we were watching that game [between Pirates and Durban City], and when we saw that it’s a draw, we’re still believing that the league is not gone,” Modiba said at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday. He was speaking to the media after Sundowns’ 1-0 win over AS FAR in the first leg of the CAF Champions League final, where he scored the winning goal via a stunning effort to ensure Sundowns take advantage going into the second leg in Rabat on Sunday.
“We still believe, we always believed, and anything can happen, but we also know that Pirates are a quality team, and they also want the league so bad. So hopefully in the final game, it’s going to be the same result [draw] for them, but we’ll just hope and pray. We keep believing,” added Modiba.
The Brazilians are looking to lift the Champions League trophy for the first time since 2016, having lost in last season’s final to Egyptian side Pyramids FC.
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