In spite of a humiliating defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates are still enjoying their best league season in a long time, but the only problem is, so are the men from Chloorkop.
Pirates' title chances were severely dented after a 4-1 loss to direct rivals Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Saturday.
They could not afford to lose the six-pointer against the log leaders, who have now stretched their lead at the top to nine points, though second-placed Bucs have a game in hand.
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Jose Riveiro's men, however, have made remarkable progress from last term.
After 14 matches in 2023/24, they had accumulated 24 points, meaning they have improved by nine points.
However, what seems to still be the Achilles heel is that after 14 games, the Soweto giants had lost three games last season and, at the same stage currently, have also lost three.
Even though they have improved from last season at this stage, their competition, Sundowns, have not remained the same.
After 15 matches, the men in Yellow and Blue had amassed 39 points under Rulani Mokwena.
They won their first 11 fixtures in a row, setting a new PSL record of consecutive wins from the start of the campaign.
However, what is scary about the current Brazilians outfit is that they have actually improved statistically from last term after 15 games, as they are currently on 42 points, which is a record number of points of any team halfway into the campaign in the PSL era.
READ: Riveiro points out 'only difference' between Pirates and Sundowns in 4-1 thrashing
At this stage last season, the Tshwane giants were still unbeaten. However, they have managed to surpass their points tally after 15 games in 2023/24, despite having already lost once in the league so far.
As a coach, Riveiro has massively improved Pirates as a team, but the biggest question is, has management upgraded the playing personnel from last season?
Only Deano Van Rooyen is a notable signing from the beginning of the campaign (and Gilberto, who has been sent out on loan back to Petro de Luanda).
Meanwhile, Sundowns have had multiple signings in the last two transfer windows, including Iqraam Rayners, Arthur Sales, Kobamelo Kodisang, Jayden Adams, Lucas Suarez and Kegan Johannes, who have taken the defending champions to another level.