9 January 2019, by: Leonard Solms
ORLANDO PIRATES NEED BIG MATCH TEMPERAMENT
Former Baroka coach Kgoloko Thobejane famously remarked that “football can kill you”. Although Orlando Pirates’ Absa Premiership title hopes remain very much alive, the last six weeks are bound to have given them an understanding of what he meant.
November drew to a close with the Buccaneers flying high after back-to-back Soweto Derby wins — first in the league and then the Telkom Knockout semi-final. They looked all but certain to end their four-and-a-half year trophy drought.
However, after defeat to Baroka in the TKO final and draws against Maritzburg United and Highlands Park in the league, lifting silverware once again seems a distant dream. Pirates have barely put a foot wrong since Milutin Sredojević took charge in August last year, but time and time again, they have failed to deliver on big occasions.
This observation must not be confused with an accusation that Pirates cannot stand up to the best in the country. Quite clearly, the opposite is true. They have beaten Kaizer Chiefs three times in a row and picked up four points from their last two away games against Mamelodi Sundowns.
☠ FT || @HighlandsP_FC 2 – 2 @orlandopirates
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⚫⚪?⭐#AbsaPrem #Matchday#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/F4QVsGcvlC— Orlando Pirates FC (@orlandopirates) January 5, 2019