Orlando Pirates has been backed to mount a title challenge in the second half of the DStv Premiership season by club legend Shakes Gwabeni.
Although the Buccaneers return to action on the back of a poor run of league form that’s produced just one win in the last five outings, the retired midfielder believes the club has enough quality to clinch the title.
"Sundowns is a very strong side as we’ve seen that in the last few seasons, but I think Pirates this season also have what it takes to get the title," Gwabeni said.
With just nine goals scored in 13 matches, the Buccaneers have hardly set the league alight. Yet, for all their struggles upfront, Riveiro's charges also boast one of the strongest defenses in the league - conceding just seven times, only Richards Bay has conceded less [6].
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Standing in the Buccaneers' path to a premiership title are DStv Premiership defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
The two sides have already locked horns three times this season, with the first encounter ending in a 0-0 draw before Pirates demolished the Brazilians 3-0 in the second semi-final leg leg the MTN8 – a cup the Buccaneers went on win after defeating AmaZulu in the final.
Sundowns returned fire a 4-0 hammering of Pirates when the sides met once more in the final of Carling Black Label Cup.
Pirates currently sit on position five in the DStv Premiership table behind Kaizer Chiefs, SuperSport United, Richards Bay and log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
If Gwabeni’s prediction is to be true, Pirates' first chance to climb up the table will be against Sundowns on 30 December at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
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