ABSA PREMIERSHIP TITLE IS ORLANDO PIRATES’ TO LOSE

23 April 2019, by: Leonard Solms

ABSA PREMIERSHIP TITLE IS ORLANDO PIRATES’ TO LOSE

Mamelodi Sundowns’ 3-2 win over Chippa United moved the Brazilians level on points with Orlando Pirates at the top of the Absa Premiership table. However, with three league games remaining for each of the two frontrunners, the title is still Pirates’ to lose.

Sundowns pipped Pirates to first place last season, but having been clear favourites until recently, Masandawana’s backs are against the wall in 2018/19 due mostly to factors beyond their control.

The Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee found Sundowns guilty of fielding Wayne Arendse illegally in October’s 1-1 draw against Bidvest Wits. They were accused of bringing Arendse onto the field of play despite his name not having been on the team list submitted to the referee before the game.

The PSL has, however, dragged its feet with sentencing, leaving a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the title race. The worst case scenario for Sundowns appears to be a docked point for themselves and two awarded to Wits.

Sundowns and Pirates currently each have 50 points from 27 matches while Wits are on 44 from 26. The implications of Wits being awarded a victory by default as opposed to a draw could be huge for all involved in the title race.

To make matters more interesting, Pirates currently have a goal difference of 16 with Sundowns on 12 and Wits on 11. No team can quite afford to rely on this to carry them over the line.

This writer is of the belief that were it not for their jam-packed CAF Champions League fixture list, Sundowns would be in the driving seat now regardless of the potential points deduction. Masandawana have had to compete in two different Champions League campaigns since the 2018/19 league season kicked off due to a change in the competition’s schedule.

In a sense, Sundowns have been architects of their own Absa Premiership downfall due to their incredible run to the semifinals of the current Champions League campaign. Rescheduled fixtures galore and player fatigue appear to have affected their title retention bid.

The departures of Percy Tau and Khama Billiat wounded Sundowns but they have stayed strong throughout most of the season regardless. The Brazilians have a manageable title run-in with games against Black Leopards, Golden Arrows and Free State Stars. Should they stop the Orlando Pirates juggernaut, it would be right up there with the greatest achievements of coach Pitso Mosimane’s career.

Orlando Pirates: Maritzburg United (A), Cape Town City (A), Polokwane City (H)
Mamelodi Sundowns: Black Leopards (A), Golden Arrows (H), Free State Stars (A)
Bidvest Wits: Black Leopards (H), SuperSport United (A), Baroka (H), Golden Arrows (A)
SuperSport United: AmaZulu (A), Bidvest Wits (H), Maritzburg United (A), Highlands Park (H)

#AbsaPrem table after yesterday’s results
Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 Chippa Utd
Kaizer Chiefs 1-1 Golden Arrows
CT City 1-1 Highlands Park pic.twitter.com/nP90rNRqp2

— Cindy Poluta (@CindyPoluta) April 24, 2019

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