Title-chasing Orlando Pirates face their moment of truth when they travel to Loftus to face defending Absa Premiership champions and current leaders SuperSport United in what has been billed as the league decider on Thursday night. Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
United, with three matches remaining, head the standings with 53 points followed by Bucs on 47 and Kaizer Chiefs with 44 points.
A win for Bucs would put them three points behind United with a match in hand. That game is the Soweto Derby against Chiefs which will be played at Ellis Park on May 2.
The Soweto Derby was originally scheduled for last weekend but was postponed due to a political rally being staged at the match venue.
Bucs spokesperson Mickey Modisane, outlined the importance of the two matches: ”We need to beat the team on top [United] and then beat the team just below us [Chiefs]. If we win both, then the league title is ours.
”We know it is a tough road but we are confident, and what better way to win the league than beating the champions and then defeating our biggest rivals, Chiefs.”
The good news is striker Siphelele Mthembu has recovered from an injury and is set to lead the attack alongside Katlego Mashego, Teko Modise and Dikgang Mabalane. Also recovering from injury is skipper and key defender Lehlohonolo Seema, who is back in training and will be fighting to get his place back.
Mthembu was injured during Bucs 1-1 league draw against Bloemfontein Celtic in their last match played at the Free State Stadium earlier this month.
To complete their league programme Bucs play Ajax Cape Town away and finish with a home match at Ellis Park against AmaZulu.
Said Modisane: ”The ball is in our court. The players and technical team know how important Thursday´s game is. If we lose we can forget about the league title as United would be nine points clear and almost unstoppable. But we are confident we can do the business and collect three points.
I still believe the league title will go down to the last day of the season. This has been one of the most competitive and closely fought campaigns ever and it will go down to the wire.”
Modisane has appealed to Bucs’ legions of fans to become their 12th man and help get the Buccaneers over the finishing line. ”We are nothing without our loyal fans. We need them now more than ever and urge them to pack Loftus on Thursday and against Chiefs [at Ellis Park] and we want them to be part of Pirates winning the championship.”
Tickets are on sale at Computicket and Shoprite Checkers outlets. — Sapa