Clinical Buccaneers hint at league title ambitions

TWELVE points behind leaders Kaizer Chiefs. Ten matches left in the Absa Premiership. Should Orlando Pirates be ruled out of the title race?

Maybe not, especially if you look at how the mighty Buccaneers are playing currently. Of course, it’s not in their hands and they cannot make the mistake of getting ahead of themselves.

Amakhosi would have to keep dropping points and there’s still Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits to compete with, but Pirates could soon be a bigger threat than most would have imagined if results elsewhere go their way.

And they’ll go about their business silently, with caretaker coach Eric Tinkler having played down his side’s chances of winning the country’s most coveted prize.

For the former Bafana Bafana midfielder, Tinkler, a second place finish and Caf Champions League qualification will do. It’s a good move, not to raise expectations of the supporters.

Last night, the Buccaneers stretched their unbeaten run in the Premiership to seven matches, overcoming a determined Polokwane City side in front of a poor crowd.

Pirates did the business in the first half, but there were a few nervous moments in the second half as the visitors put them under pressure.

The hosts established an early foothold and were ahead after just two minutes when midfielder Mpho Makola beat City goalkeeper Modiri Marumo, who had a nightmare performance against SuperSport United last Wednesday, from close range.

Credit should go to left-back Thabo Matlaba, who made one of those famous runs on the flank before playing in a cross for Makola.

Pirates, playing their first home league match of 2015, extended their lead seven minutes before the break through nippy striker Kermit Erasmus.

His finish was sublime, as he lobbed shot-stopper Marumo after goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo’s goal kick was flicked on by Issa Sarr.

The finish, similar to the two the marksman scored against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versveld in the first half of the season, must have had Pirates fans wishing he was always as clinical in front of goal.

The Buccaneers were not done and were three goals to the good when captain Oupa Manyisa slotted from the penalty spot after Matlaba was brought down in the box.

Pirates, however, were caught napping as City, coached by former Bucs boss Kosta Papic and probably the league’s most enterprising side, pulled one back from a set piece when Tshepo Tema rose highest to head home Jabulani Maluleke’s cross.

It was the first goal Pirates conceded this year.