Orlando Pirates have quickly put their early exit from the CAF Champions League behind them, as they recently won the MTN8 trophy and can now focus their attention on catching up to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premiership.
The Buccaneers beat Sundowns in the MTN8 final on penalties, demonstrating why they were the neutrals’ biggest hope of challenging the Brazilians for the PSL title. Jose Riveiro’s charges have the advantage of playing in one competition less than Sundowns, and two less if the Brazilians play in the African Football League (AFL).
Pirates are three games behind schedule in the league due to their participation in the CAF Champions League, where they played in two preliminary rounds. The Brazilians, however, don’t have games in hand in the league after only entering the CAF Champions League in the second preliminary round.
After Pirates’ win over Sundowns in the MTN8 final, Riveiro expressed his hope that other teams will start giving Masandawana problems and believes that they can still catch up with Rulani Mokwena’s charges on the log.
“Hopefully more teams will give them (Sundowns) more problems, especially in the league,” Riveiro said on Radio 2000. “Absolutely,” the Spanish coach responded when asked if he thinks Pirates can catch up with Sundowns. “We need to get back in the league, play games consistently, which is something that didn’t happen due to (a tough) schedule early this season, we need to get the feeling again that we’re playing the league. We showed in the second part of last season that we have the capacity to do it,” he added.
The Buccaneers are currently 17 points behind log-leaders Sundowns, but they can reduce that gap to eight points if they win all of their three games in hand.
PIRATES ARE MTN8 CHAMPIONS!
Orlando Pirates beat Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 in a penalty shootout to win the MTN8 final. MTN8FINAL Pirates Sundowns pic.twitter.com/Q4TXCV2Yk1— Scrolla Sport (@ScrollaSport) October 7, 2023
