Orlando Pirates have started this season like a different beast.
The Soweto giants have bagged up 11 wins in 14 matches across all competitions, losing just twice and keeping an impressive seven clean sheets along the way.
Many fans and neutrals now believe the Sea Robbers can finally end Mamelodi Sundowns’ long-running dynasty.
IS THIS ORLANDO PIRATES’ SEASON?
While Sundowns still sit top of the Betway Premiership with 21 points from 10 matches, the Buccaneers aren’t far behind.
They’re in third place, six points adrift, but with three games in hand. If they win all of them, Amabhakabhaka could leapfrog the defending champions and open up a three-point lead, something few clubs have managed to threaten in recent seasons.
Former coach José Riveiro became a club legend with three MTN8 titles and two Nedbank Cup trophies in just three seasons, but Sundowns were just too powerful to compete with over 30 Betway Premiership matches.
In Riveiro’s three seasons, the Buccaneers finished runners-up behind Sundowns. In 2022/23, Sundowns ended with 70 points to Orlando Pirates’ 54. The following season it was 73 to 50, and last term 73 to 61, a clear sign of just how dominant Masandawana have been.
Now, under new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, the Ghosts seem to have found early consistency. The Moroccan tactician has already etched his name in club history by becoming the first-ever coach to guide the Buccaneers to eight consecutive victories.
That staggering form under Ouaddou has reignited talk of a genuine title race. And for former Sundowns and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Calvin Marlin, this renewed competition is exactly what South African football needs.
“I think people are kinda getting bored by how Sundowns win it so easily,” Marlin told The South African’s Siseko Gwegwe.
“You want your league race to be exciting, where you go to the match and anybody can win, where everybody has a chance to win the league,” the Gqeberha-born legend added.
“Otherwise, we will lose numbers at stadiums if Sundowns continue to win everything. So it would be nice for another club to win it. And obviously, the other bigger clubs in South Africa are supported. So when they are doing well, the support comes to the stadiums — and that’s what we need. If people are not supporting, you will lose your sponsorships.
“At the end of the day, this is entertainment.”
Marlin added that competition is healthy for the league and necessary for its long-term growth.
“I think it will be good if we can get those other clubs to compete. It is a long season, Sundowns are indeed strong. But everybody has a fall at some stage. You can’t be on top forever. Look at Manchester City, we thought they would dominate forever, but that’s not what happened last season.
Marlin, who was the Goalkeeper of the Season when he helped Kabo Yellow win the 2006/07 title, admitted that Masandawana remain powerful.
“Sundowns have a very strong squad and are expected to do it, but at the end of the day, if Pirates win all of their games, I can’t see why they can’t be up there.
“If they beat everybody else but still lose to Sundowns, they have a chance,” Marlin concluded.
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