Pirates must create their own luck

ORLANDO Pirates have been the victims of awful refereeing recently, with at least four decisions that could have impacted their results wrongfully made.

Pirates were denied a legitimate goal and penalty against Moroka Swallows on Tuesday night as they fought unsuccessfully for the win in a 1-1 draw.

Replays show they also deserved a penalty in the 2-1 loss to Sekhukhune United, whose second goal should not have stood last weekend.

Those two results have since subjected Pirates to four points dropped in the last two matches, taking a toll on their top two aspirations in the DStv Premiership.

The Sea Robbers are now stuck in fourth spot on the log with 34 points, four behind second-placed Stellenbosch FC, who have a game in hand.

But while it's safe to say the referees have been Pirates' nightmare, there's no telling if they'd have won the matches if those calls went their way.

That's why Pirates must do better in their next games, starting with the home game against Golden Arrows today, and create their own luck.

Pirates dominated against Swallows and Stellenbosch, playing eye-catching football as they made their opposition's defenders chase shadows.

But Pirates' Achilles heel has been in the final third of the field, the team either failing to exploit the pockets or being over-reliant on talisman Patrick Maswanganyi.

Maswanganyi earned another Player of the Match award against Swallows after scoring the equaliser and leading Pirates' fight for the lead.

But there's only so much he can do. Maswanganyi is a silky player, with his strength and ability to cut opposition defence wide open with skill and flair.

However, he's had to juggle being a playmaker with scoring goals – a huge responsibility for a player who's only in his first season at the club.

Sure, Maswanganyi must be a complete player if he is going to grow and cement his place in the national team after getting his first call-up recently.

But his evolution requires his teammates to help him and do their bit, especially up front, instead of overrelying on him to help when the chips are down.

With Arrows flying high under returning coach Steve Komphela as they are unbeaten after two wins and one draw, they'll be a tough nut for Pirates to crack.

Komphela's Arrows are on the rise after their 11-game winless streak under Mabhuti Khenyeza, and they pulled off a palpitating comeback on Tuesday night.

Abafana Bes'thende came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with SuperSport United, who are eyeing a topthree finish like the Sea Robbers.

But unlike Pirates, who are overreliant on ‘Tito', Arrows have worked together as a unit in making a serious challenge for a late top-eight finish.

With Knox Mutizwa shooting blanks in recent matches, Nduduzo Sibiya has taken over the baton, scoring two goals in the last three games.

Arrows will also be confident that they can score against Pirates given their comeback against SuperSport and Pirates' comical errors at the back.

Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine made uncharacteristic mistakes against the Birds, resulting in him conceding first after Lindokuhle Mtshali duly accepted one of his “gifts”.