Pirates fans frustrated by Sundowns’ success
Buccaneers lack a leader to steady a ship that has hit troubled waters
THE volcanic eruption of anger and hooliganism that hit Loftus Versfeld on Saturday from Orlando Pirates fans had been bubbling under for some time. The 6-0 drubbing that Mamelodi Sundowns handed them took the supporters to boiling point.
It resulted in a violent outburst that saw Pirates’ fans invade the pitch as they tried to attack their own players. The players and the technical team of both teams dashed to the change-rooms for cover. Pirates’ fans tried to follow them there, but were stopped by a group of Sundowns’ supporters. The Brazilians’ supporters on the main stand jumped onto the pitch after they saw one Pirates’ fan push and try to attack another fan who was in a wheelchair.
Police had to intervene after clashes broke out, resulting in 13 fans being taken to hospital. Pirates’ coach Augusto Palacios didn’t return for the last eight minutes when the match resumed just after 6pm because he wasn’t “feeling well and was heartbroken”.
“I would like to say sorry to the fans (for the 6-0 loss). What else can we say to them? We can say we are sorry with our mouths, but we should also say so with our actions in the next game by winning it,” Pirates’ assistant coach Benson Mhlongo said. “If your house has burned down, as a man you must rebuild it. Palacios didn’t return because he wasn’t feeling well. He took the defeat too hard. You must remember that Palacios loves this team with his whole heart. For him to get six goals, it doesn’t sit right with him.”
The sight of Mhlongo and Bradley Carnell trying to inspire the Buccaneers in their heaviest defeat in the club’s history in the PSL-era summed up Pirates’ story. The Sea Robbers have been without a captain to steady their ship that has hit troubled waters. Pirates’ chairman Irvin Khoza had promised to find a replacement for coach Muhsin Ertugral before the second half of the season resumed. That didn’t happen, with Khoza saying that they have narrowed down their list to six candidates.
Pirates lacked direction under Palacios, who didn’t hide from the fact that he didn’t have ambitions of coaching the club on a full-time basis. The Buccaneers have gone seven games without a win, which has left their fans frustrated. Their last victory came in November, in Palacios’ third match in charge having won the previous two as well. Those victories over Highlands Park, Free State Stars and Chippa United masked the club’s problem of lacking a leader on the pitch.
Their dismal display has been made worse by the fact that this year they celebrate their 80th anniversary. The Buccaneers supporters were expecting a lot to celebrate, but instead they have been disappointed. What took them to the boiling point against Sundowns is that the Brazilians are where the club used to be.
For over two decades Pirates boasted to be the only South African team to be African champions because of their exploits in 1995. Sundowns ended that last year by lifting the Caf Champions League. While Sundowns reached dizzying heights, Pirates sank to the depths of despair.
They were thumped by SuperSport United 6-1 in November last year, a result that led to Ertugral’s abrupt resignation on live TV.
It was clear then that the club wouldn’t celebrate their 80th anniversary like they did their 75th in 2012.
Pirates completed back-to-back domestic trebles in 2012, winning six trophies in two seasons. Pirates haven’t lifted a trophy since 2014.
“When you are down, you can’t fall anymore,” Mhlongo said. “The only thing that you have to do is stand up and go forward.” PITSO MOSIMANE spoke with a lump in his throat and a sombre, almost mournful-like tone, after Mamelodi Sundowns handed Orlando Pirates their heaviest defeat in the 6-0 drubbing at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Mosimane and the Brazilians were denied the opportunity to bask in their glory, sending a strong message to their rivals that they have what it takes to retain the PSL title they won last season.
Football and the scoreline became of secondary importance after angry Pirates’ fans stormed the pitch. They started by throwing missiles, stripped the barrier that surrounds the pitch and even removed cables that resulted in the TV blackout. They then stormed the field and tried to make their way to the change-room, but a group of Sundowns fans stopped them as security guards were overwhelmed and led to a clash between the two sets of supporters.
The players dashed to safety before the violence broke out. A police nyala had to be deployed to disperse the crowd, stun grenades were used and the events led to 13 fans being hospitalised.
“I have mixed emotions about the game,” Mosimane said. “There is the good part and the unfortunate part. The last time me and my players ran to the change-room was in Setif (against Algerian side ES Setif in the Caf Champions League). It’s unfortunate. Issues likes this shouldn’t be condoned. I usually bring my son to our games. Today (on Saturday) he didn’t come.
“I am happy that he didn’t come. He was watching on TV. They called me at the dressing (room) to ask if I am okay. We don’t want this. We bring children and women to the game. I have always called on Sundowns fans to fill the stadium but when you find things like this, we start from zero again in our attempts to get fans to come to the stadium.”
The match resumed after an almost hour-long delay. Sundowns’ players just went through the emotions in the last eight minutes with their hearts no longer there. They still managed to keep a clean sheet. Their focus now shifts to Chippa United whom they visit tomorrow in East London. The Brazilians will return from the Eastern Cape to prepare for their clash with TP Mazembe on Saturday in the Caf Super Cup that pits last year’s winners of the Champions League and the Caf Confederation Cup.
These two games will test the Brazilians’ depth. Mosimane has been preparing his players for what will be a gruelling campaign, slowly introducing players like Anele Ngcongca and Fares Hachi.
“What would have been ideal for me is to remove the Chippa game and then we have a nice good game against Mazembe with no excuses of travelling to East London,” Mosimane said. “But I think that Wits, Pirates, (Kaizer) Chiefs, Sundowns and SuperSport (United) shouldn’t complain about the schedule. We all made a statement that we have enough ammunition for continental and domestic football. So we shouldn’t complain. But there will be many, many changes against Chippa.