The world looks beautiful from the summit of the Premier Soccer League table for Orlando Pirates as they survey all around them at this stage of the season.
For Pirates, their 13-game unbeaten run in the Premier Soccer League has eclipsed their bad patch in cup competitions and has raised hopes of wrestling the championship title from arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
The Buccaneers will look to continue their winning streak against Wits University at the Johannesburg stadium on Saturday, boosted by the return from suspension of all their players.
Pirates coach Kostadin Papic has inherited a talented squad, with many star players drawn from the club’s development academy — the likes of Gift Leremi, Phumudzo Manenzhe and Benedict Vilakazi. Papic has molded his youthful recruits into a cohesive unit that attacks with pace.
Another factor that makes Pirates look like championship material is that their goals have come from midfield players and strikers. Apart from talented players there are quality replacements to fill in when injuries or suspensions hit the team.
For the past four seasons between 61 and 64 points was enough to secure the league title. Currently Orlando Pirates are on 29 points and have games against Wits and Bush Bucks to complete the first round. Their January fixture list is completed by away trips to Jomo Cosmos, Supersport United and a home clash with Golden Arrows.
Sceptics will say it is too early to predict the winner as we are not even halfway through the season, but the Buccaneers ship looks to be in much better shape than the 15 other teams vying for the championship title.
On Wednesday night, Kaizer Chiefs, the reigning champions, sounded a warning to those teams looking to take the title away from them after beating Santos 1-0. They moved up to 21 points, but have played three games less than Pirates. On Sunday they meet Moroka Swallows, who also have 21 points.