Orlando Pirates’ Progress Overshadowed by Sundowns’ Dominance

Despite suffering a humbling 4-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates remain on track for their best league campaign in recent years. However, the relentless dominance of the men from Chloorkop continues to cast a long shadow over their title aspirations.

A Crushing Blow at Loftus

Pirates entered Saturday’s clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium knowing it was a crucial six-pointer in the title race. Yet, a resounding loss to their direct rivals has left the Soweto giants nine points adrift of Sundowns at the summit of the DStv Premiership table, albeit with a game in hand.

The defeat was a significant setback, but it doesn’t tell the full story of Pirates’ marked improvement under head coach José Riveiro.

Marked Progress from Last Season

At this stage of the previous campaign, Pirates had accumulated 24 points from 14 matches. Fast forward to this season, they’ve improved by nine points, sitting on 33 points after the same number of games.

However, there remains a worrying similarity: Pirates had lost three games at this stage last season, and they’ve suffered the same number of defeats this term. While their overall form has improved, their inability to turn tight games into wins has held them back in the face of Sundowns’ relentless march.

The Sundowns Benchmark

If Pirates have improved, Sundowns have reached new heights. The defending champions have been nothing short of sensational, amassing a record 42 points after 15 games—a feat no team has achieved in the PSL era.

Led by Rulani Mokwena, Sundowns began their season with an unprecedented 11 consecutive wins, setting a new record for the most victories at the start of a campaign. Despite suffering their first league defeat this season, the Brazilians have surpassed their points tally at this stage last term, where they had 39 points and remained unbeaten.

Key Differences: Squad Depth and Transfers

While Riveiro has undeniably improved Pirates tactically, questions linger about the club’s transfer activity. Deano Van Rooyen is the only significant addition to the squad, while Gilberto was sent back on loan to Petro de Luanda without making an impact.

In contrast, Sundowns have significantly bolstered their squad over the last two transfer windows, adding the likes of Lucas Suarez, Iqraam Rayners, Arthur Sales, Jayden Adams, Kobamelo Kodisang, and Kegan Johannes. These reinforcements have elevated an already dominant team to new levels.

The Road Ahead for Pirates

Pirates’ campaign is far from over. They still have a game in hand and plenty of opportunities to narrow the gap at the top. However, the defeat to Sundowns highlights the need for further squad upgrades if they are to truly challenge the reigning champions.

As it stands, Pirates’ remarkable improvement is a testament to Riveiro’s coaching acumen, but Sundowns remain the gold standard in South African football. If the Buccaneers hope to break Sundowns’ stranglehold on the league, they’ll need more than just tactical tweaks—they’ll need investment in their squad to match the quality and depth of their Tshwane rivals.

For now, the title race continues, but the gap between the chasing pack and Sundowns appears as daunting as ever.