Orlando Pirates legend Ronnie "Mainline" Zondi applauds the club's players for their good performance against Lamontville Golden Arrows on Saturday.
The Buccaneers continued with their good record over Abafana Bes'thende as they humiliated them 7-1 at Orlando Stadium, with Tshegofatso Mabasa grabbing a hat-trick that has taken his goal tally to 10 goals.
Zondi believes even log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns would have struggled against his former club on the day.
"It's given that when Pirates play Sundowns, they always give them a run for their money," Zondi shares, speaking to KickOff.
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"Sundowns always struggle against Pirates, they have to rise above the occasion to beat Pirates. Pirates, they up their game against Sundowns. I think they would have beaten Sundowns.
"Saturday’s performance made one realize Pirates has assembled a very good team, and had they applied themselves this season, they could have achieved more because definitely, Golden Arrows is not a walkover. They are quite a good team.
"It proves Pirates could have achieved a lot if they applied themselves and put their mind to it," he added.
The former defender was one of those who had the Soweto giants as one of the contenders to stop Sundowns' dominance this season.
"Unfortunately, it did not work out the way we saw it given the calibre of players that they signed. Saturday’s score proved they have what it takes, they just have to prove they can do it.
"The coach can only do so much, and after all, it's the players who are on the field of play, and they experience this week in and week out.
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"They must apply themselves over and above what they are instructed to do by the coach or the game plan itself. It takes the whole team to function.
"Look at Sundowns, whoever they bring into the field of play gives 100%. And if Pirates can do that, they can achieve more than they have achieved."
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