Former Orlando Pirates captain Edward ‘Magents’ Motale has urged the Buccaneers not to abandon the tactics they used against Durban City FC last weekend as they now tackle Orbit College FC in a Betway Premiership title decider at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
The Soweto will be in Mpumalanga, facing a season-defining moment against relegation-threatened Mswenko Boys. It would be an afternoon they could end a 14-year PSL title drought or capitulate and surrender the title to log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns on an occasion where their character faces the ultimate test this season.
Sitting second on the table, Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side has two points fewer than Sundowns. Maximum points are non-negotiable for Pirates to be crowned champions and halt Masandawana’s eight-year dominance of the PSL.
The Buccaneers could have wrapped up their PSL title big last weekend and crowned champions last Saturday. But they slumped and were held 0-0 by Durban City before a sold-out encounter at Orlando Amstel Arena, in front of their expectant fans.
It is the kind of choking they would want to avoid against Orbit College. A final day collapse could remind fans how Ouaddou failed to guide his men to the CAF Champions League Group stage earlier this season.
Failure to win the PSL title could make the MTN8 and Carling Knockout triumphs look irrelevant. Motale wants Pirates to continue with the momentum they had against Durban City, justifying to FARPost that it remains vital in their pursuit of a treble.
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“Yes I saw some champions character [in Pirates against Durban City]. Only that City sat at the back. Pirates had 19 corners and City had just,” Motale told FARPost.
“It tells you that it was only Pirates playing. City had one shot at goal for the whole 90 mins. If Pirates scored, it could have been a walkover now.
“There was hunger in Pirates with 19 corners and something like10 shots at goal. The match against Orbit is not going to be like City. Orbit are weaker than City, but it’s not going to be easy.
“Durban City have better players. Orbit lost five or six [five sic] of their last 10 games in a row, and that says something. No tactic should change on Saturday.
“If Ouaddou changes tactics, it could be difficult for Pirates. They must use the very same approach of the City game, it was the best. It’s just that they missed chances. They should go with the same mentality and tactics.
“I would say boys take it from last week. Same effort, same energy and mentality. Take that mentality to Mbombela. I’ll be there celebrating. It will not be a walkover but Pirates will win.”
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