Bucs vow to push Sundowns
Micho prepared for tough run-in in battle for title
Is it really possible for Orlando Pirates to upset Mamelodi Sundowns and win the Absa Premiership this season?
With the Buccaneers second on the table and five points behind the Brazilians, though Sundowns have a game in hand, it seems impossible for Pirates to leapfrog the Tshwane outfit by the end of the season.
But you are not going to get a straight answer from Pirates coach, Micho Sredojevic.
“From my side, I will tell you the moment when you sit on this chair, when you put on this badge and when you coach Orlando Pirates, you always need to have the highest possible ambition,” said Sredojevic following their 2-1 win over Maritzburg United at Orlando Stadium at the weekend.
Thabiso Kutumela, who scored from a free kick, and Happy Jele, were on the scoresheet for the home side, while the Team of Choice pulled one back through Siyanda Xulu.
Pirates could be closer to Sundowns or even top the standings had it not been for playing nine draws already.
It’s therefore understandable that Sredojevic is treading carefully in what could be an interesting run-in for the title.
“We have gone and improved, but still we are not satisfied. We are hungry and we want more... we are doing everything possible, as the technical team, players, management and supporters to return to where we are always supposed to be. Results are always important, but we believe that if things had gone the way we wanted and from the nine draws, at least win seven of them, we would be talking a different story.”
For now, though, Pirates will shift their focus to their Nedbank Cup last 32 clash against Ajax Cape Town at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Title run-in Pirates’s league matches 25/02:
Chiefs (home) Arrows (away) Celtic (home) SuperSport (away) FS Stars (home) SuperSport (home) AmaZulu (away) Chippa (home) Baroka (away)