Orlando Pirates’ 1-1 draw with AmaZulu on Wednesday exposed several concerns for Abdeslam Ouaddou and his team.
The Buccaneers have made an unbeaten start to the season, but their performances have raised questions about whether they have enough quality and depth to challenge for the Betway Premiership title.
The 2-0 win over Milford in their opening league fixture looked convincing on paper, but Pirates were far from dominant. Milford showed enough promise to suggest that a rematch could produce a very different result.
The warning signs were also there during the MTN8 clash against Durban City. Pirates struggled to break down a stubborn defence despite having a numerical advantage for much of the game.
The draw against AmaZulu only highlighted those concerns further.
Here are five reasons why Orlando Pirates may struggle to win the league.
A weak left-back position
Nkosikhona Ndaba has yet to convince that he is the answer at left-back. Defensively, he has looked vulnerable, while his contribution going forward has been limited.
The worrying part for Pirates is that an ageing Deon Hotto still appears to be their strongest option in the position. If Hotto remains the best choice, it highlights a problem Ouaddou needs to address.
Orlando Pirates have a injury crisis?
Injuries to Mbatha and Makgopa
The absence of Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa could prove costly.
Both players provide physical presence, height and experience, while their contributions for both Pirates and Bafana Bafana have shown their importance.
Pirates missed those qualities against AmaZulu. Their ability to compete physically and maintain intensity in key areas of the pitch was affected by the absence of the two players.
If either player spends an extended period on the sidelines, Orlando Pirates could struggle to maintain their title challenge.
Mbuthuma is not firing
Ouaddou has placed his faith in Yanela Mbuthuma as his main striker, but the decision has yet to pay off.
The forward has already had several opportunities to establish himself, yet his finishing remains a major concern.
Against AmaZulu, Pirates created chances but failed to convert them, with Mbuthuma among those who were guilty of wasting opportunities.
A striker cannot be expected to suddenly become a clinical finisher overnight. If Mbuthuma continues to miss clear chances, Pirates could find themselves dropping valuable points.
The new signings have yet to make a major impact
Orlando Pirates brought in a number of new players, but so far, none of the nine signings has consistently shown the kind of quality that can transform the team.
Ghampani Lungu scored the winning goal against Durban City, but his overall performance did not suggest that he was ready to take the team to another level.
He started against AmaZulu but struggled to make a significant impact. The Buccaneers will need their new recruits to provide more than squad depth if they are serious about winning the league.
A lack of creativity
The departure of Relebohile Mofokeng has left a noticeable hole in the Pirates attack.
The Buccaneers have struggled to unlock teams that sit deep. Against Durban City, they found it difficult to break down a 10-man defence, while AmaZulu also managed to frustrate them for long periods.
Creating chances against organised defences is essential in a title race. Orlando Pirates cannot afford to repeatedly drop points because they lack the creativity to find a breakthrough.
The season is still in its early stages, and Ouaddou has plenty of time to address these problems. However, if Pirates fail to strengthen these areas, their title ambitions could be tested long before the business end of the campaign.
