Pirates continue bid to put distance between themselves and the relegation quicksand

25 April 2017 - 17:13 By Njabulo Ngidi
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Ayanda Gcaba of Orlando Pirates is man of the match during the Nedbank Cup quarter final match against Bloemfontein Celtic at Orlando Stadium on April 22, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Ayanda Gcaba of Orlando Pirates is man of the match during the Nedbank Cup quarter final match against Bloemfontein Celtic at Orlando Stadium on April 22, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Image: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images

Orlando Pirates’ priority at the moment isn’t so much how they do it‚ just as long as they get the result to salvage what has been a miserable season.

The Buccaneers are slowly clawing their way out of the depths of despair they have languished in for the better part of this campaign.

The porous defence is now a bit tighter and the players’ mental resolve is stronger‚ able to get themselves out of a mess without dropping their heads.

But there is still a lot of work to be done for them to be the real deal.

  • Historic day for SA football as three clubs go into Caf hatIt will be the first time that three South African clubs go into the draw for the group phase of an African club competition at the same time when Mamelodi Sundowns‚ Platinum Stars and SuperSport United wait to hear their fate in Cairo on Wednesday afternoon. 

Their clash with Baroka FC on Wednesday night at Orlando Stadium is a reminder of that.

Just six points separate Pirates and the bottom-placed Bakgaga.

A loss to the rookies would drag Pirates to the relegation scramble while a victory would go a long way in their aim to maintain the record of having always finished in the top eight in the PSL-era.

“It hasn’t been a good season for us but slowly we are getting there‚” Pirates’ defender Ayanda Gcaba said.

  • Brace yourself for an emotional PSL roller coaster ride on Super TuesdayDefending champions Mamelodi Sundowns‚ while focusing on beating Ajax Cape Town‚ will have an eye on the clash between Cape Town City and Kaizer Chiefs in a big night of fixtures in the Absa Premiership on Tuesday. 

“The confidence in the team has returned.

"The only thing that we need to do now is to fight for the top eight and get to the final of the Nedbank Cup.

"At least now we are consistent and we are winning games.

"We just have to continue grinding out the results.

"At this moment it’s not about nice football.

"It’s about getting the results.

  • Sono confident of leading Cosmos to PSL promotion despite facing difficult oddsJomo Sono continues to pronounce confidently on the promotion chances of his club back to the top-flight even if Cosmos find themselves down in 11th place in the National First Division standings‚ going into Wednesday’s key match against Black Leopards. 

"You can play good football and not get the results.”

The Buccaneers will come into this match confident after advancing to the semifinal of the Nedbank Cup.

That tournament could be the club’s saving grace and would even give them a chance to return to the CAF Confederation Cup next year.

Platinum Stars are in the Confederation Cup this year.

  • Manchester derby is 'game of the season', says United's HerreraManchester United's match against Manchester City in the Premier League on Thursday is "the game of the season" and will play a decisive role in both teams' chances of finishing in the top four, midfielder Ander Herrera has said. 

Just before they face Free State Stars at Moruleng Stadium on Wednesday they will find out who they will face in the group stage of the continental competition.

That success in Africa has made up for the mini-slump the club is in‚ having lost their last three league matches.

A loss for either Dikwena or Ea Lla Koto would put them deeper in the relegation dogfight that’s heating up as much as the race for the championship.

“We need those points. We need them badly‚” Dikwena coach Cavin Johnson said.

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now