As if ordained by an all-powerful soccer oracle — or the product of uncanny premonition — Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have been billed to play their final Premier Soccer League game of the season against each other at Pretoria’s Loftus stadium on May 13.
And if this intriguing fixture is ultimately to decide the destination of the 10th PSL championship — something that appears distinctly possible — even the bedlam associated with Loftus when the Bulls are in action in a Super 14 fixture might seem tepid by comparison as the colourful, noisy followers of Sundowns and Pirates descend on rugby’s hallowed citadel.
Of course, it could emerge a damp squib, with the championship decided before the fateful May 13 encounter, but one outcome now seems certain after defending champions Kaizer Chiefs stuttered to a goalless draw against relegation-threatened Bush Bucks at FNB stadium last Saturday. That is that either Sundowns or Pirates will be anointed champions for the 2005/2006 season.
Although mathematically still in with a chance of retaining their title and equalling Sundowns’ record of three successive triumphs, bookmakers are offering odds of up to 250-1 to anyone believing Chiefs’ two-year reign will continue.
For that minor miracle to materialise, Chiefs will need to win both their remaining matches — against Silver Stars (away) and SuperSport United (home) — and Sundowns and Pirates will have to complete their remaining three-game programmes with neither compiling more than two points.
Sundowns’ remaining games are against SuperSport United, Classic and Pirates — all in Pretoria — while Pirates also face Dynamos (home) and Bush Bucks (away).
One aspect that cannot be minimised is the possibility of Pirates and Sundowns finishing level on points and the PSL title being decided by which of the two has a superior goal-difference. And, in this respect, Sundowns have a clear-cut advantage at this juncture.
Pirates will require an avalanche of goals in their remaining games to off-set the deficit.
Tempering the tension and excitement of the final run-in is the fact that none of the contenders has performed with the poise, inventiveness and penetration of potential champions in recent matches.
Indeed Sundowns and Pirates —and more so Chiefs — have stuttered towards the winning post much like exhausted marathon runners approaching the end of a harrowing ordeal.
Both sides are brimming with a wealth of talented players, but neither Sundowns nor Pirates has shown champion mettle. And both have shown panicky signs of buckling under pressure in recent games.
If the championship ends in the hands of the Brazilians, they will increase to four their record number of titles. If Pirates pip them to the post, they will stand jointly with Sundowns at the head of the queue, with three championships each.
Players with the talent and current form to suggest they could have a major bearing on the outcome are Shakes Ngwenya, Josta Dladla, Jose Torrealba, Godfrey Sapula and Ezrom Nyandoro (Sundowns) and Siyabonga Nomvete, Lelo Mbele, Gift Leremi, Isaac Chansa and Lebohang Mokoena (Pirates).