Pirates and Wits need maximum points
THREE seasons ago, Ben Motshwari, Vincent Pule and Xola Mlambo fought tooth and nail as they inspired Bidvest Wits to their first Premiership title in the club’s 96-year existence.
But tomorrow, the trio will make their return to Milpark, Bidvest Stadium (kick-off 3pm), hoping to inspire new employers Orlando Pirates to their first Absa Premiership title in eight years, while in the process derailing Wits’ attempts to win their second championship in three seasons.
Mlambo, who’s likely to miss the clash due to injury and will be backing his teammates from the stands, will be hoping for a déjà vu moment that will relive the experience of his first season with the Bucs. Rewind to last campaign, Mlambo and company lost to the Clever Boys 1-0 away , before producing a 4-0 win at an empty Orlando Stadium because a sanction against fans for their behaviour against Mamelodi Sundowns the previous season.
That proved a pivotal win as the Sea Robbers went on to finish second, a mere five points adrift of champions Sundowns.
On the other hand, the Wits team that included Motshwari and Pule, could only labour for a 13th finish. This season, despite the first leg being in Soweto, Wits were the victors, 1-0, thanks to an own goal by Gladwin Shitolo. A lot has happened since then.
The trio are now integral parts of the Bucs’ bigger scheme of things, having inspired the team to second spot on the log, three points behind Sundowns, with six matches to go before the curtain comes down on the season.
What’s also the driving Pirates to win this encounter is that the league is the only way that they can end the club’s four-year trophy drought, having missed out of the three domestic competitions – the MTN8, Telkom Knock-out and Nedbank Cup – while they bowed out of the CAF Champions League in the group stage. But, flip the script to the Clever Boys, and the importance of winning this encounter is also invaluable.
Coach Gavin Hunt’s troops are third on the log, four points behind the leaders. More so, the Clever Boys find themselves in a disappointing state of affairs having held the top spot for the better part of the season, only to be jinxed by their poor home record. However, there’s no room to bemoan the misfortunes of the past and Wits can’t afford any slip-ups, especially in front of their home supporters, considering that they suffered the same fate last week as they were eliminated out of South Africa’s premier club knock-out competition by Chippa United.
Sundowns’ coach Pitso Mosimane will also be keeping tabs at the scoreline, despite entertaining African giants Al Ahly at the same hour at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in a Champions League first leg quarterfinal clash.
A draw between Wits and Pirates will do Mosimane the world of good as they’ll have an added advantage before returning to domestic duties against SuperSport on April 17.