Orlando Pirates’ exit from the CAF Champions League will still sting after such an amazing run in the competition.
Pirates were well on their way to an all-South African CAF Champions League final before their continental dreams were shattered by a late Pyramids goal in the 84th minute of their second-leg semi-final. It was a dagger to the hearts of coach Jose Riveiro and his charges, who were still chasing an unprecedented quadruple.
But they will quickly have to put that disappointment behind them ahead of a big week of domestic football that can still have a massive impact on Riveiro’s farewell season with the club. They need that “we go again” mentality, because there is still a lot to play for this season.
Pirates are still in the fight to win the league. They trail Mamelodi Sundowns by nine points, but have two games in hand over the champions. If they win both these games in hand this week, they could cut that lead to just three points.
The first of those matches is against Sekhukhune United on Wednesday night, before the big Soweto derby clash against Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday. The latter is also a curtainraiser for next weekend’s Nedbank Cup final between the two Soweto giants.
It’s a watershed couple of weeks for Riveiro, as he is desperate to win the league with Pirates to cement his place among the Bucs’ coaching greats. Yes, he has won five domestic cups in a remarkable three years at the club, but a league title will certainly elevate his standing even more.
To do it against a Sundowns juggernaut would make the feat even more impressive.
Back-to-back runners-up finishes in the league against a rampant Sundowns team is not something to be embarrassed about. The Brazilians have been the dominant team in the land for close to a decade and will truly take something special to dethrone them.
However, this is Riveiro’s best chance to do the business, as Sundowns definitely haven’t been at their ruthless best following coaching shake-ups this season. And this week essentially gives them that opportunity to apply some much-needed pressure.
The match against Sekhukhune won’t be a walk in the park for Pirates. The Limpopo outfit are third in the Betway Premiership standings and are chasing a spot in next season’s CAF Confederations Cup.
Chiefs, meanwhile, have blown hot and cold in the league this season, but would love nothing more than to spoil Pirates’ title challenge, while also gaining some sort of mental edge ahead of the Nedbank Cup final.
Sundowns are also in action on Wednesday night, taking on Richards Bay in the league. A win will keep Pirates at an arms length, but defeat could see this title race ignite into something spectacular.
@JohnGoliath82
