Orlando Pirates are done being Mamelodi Sundowns' bridesmaid in the DStv Premiership, as captain Innocent Maela vows to deliver the Buccaneers to the proverbial promised land.
Kaizer Chiefs’ trophy drought has become a relatable reference and a jest for fans of Amakhosi’s rivals. The Glamour Boys will enter a 10th season without any silverware when the 2024/25 campaign is launched next month.
However, if you focus on the DStv Premiership, Chiefs’ title wait is not that long – at least compared to their Soweto counterparts, Pirates.
The Sea Robbers have not touched the league since the 2011/12 campaign – three seasons apart from Amakhosi’s last triumph in 2014/15. SuperSport United, who are part of the five teams to have won the title in the last 15 years, are on a 14-year league drought.
It was during Pirates’ most successful period in the Premier Soccer League era when the Buccaneers won a double treble that included two back-to-back league titles and four domestic cups. The Premiership has been elusive ever since.
Needless to say, it was not for a lack of trying as Pirates did push for the championship, having finished as Sundowns’ bridesmaid four times since 2012.
Last season, Downs mopped the floor with Pirates and the other competition alike, leaving an unassailable 23-point gap between themselves and the Buccaneers.
"As a team we always want to challenge on all fronts, it is no secret that our people are longing for the success of the league."
As teams prepare ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, Pirates skipper, Maela, sounds confident that the Buccaneers can topple Sundowns from their comfortable seat of dominance in the Premiership.
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One thing that soothes the Happy People is the impressive display in domestic competitions as Jose Riveiro has established himself as a cup specialist, winning four trophies in two seasons.
“We are competing against a top team but I believe this season we do have a good squad and a good chance. We will go out there and give it our all,” Maela said on Morning Live.
The Buccaneers returned to Mzansi on Sunday night from their pre-season camp in Spain. Riveiro’s men took on challenges from English Championship side Plymouth Argyle, and Spanish sides Sevilla and Granada before wrapping up their friendly series with Qatari outfit Al-Sadd.
Two draws, one win, and a single defeat paired with seven goals scored in four games is a reflection of the hard work that is to come throughout the season, suggests Maela.
“Pre-season, always tough and intense as it should be. I believe our tour in Spain was a success. From the players’ perspective, it helped us a lot and there are a few lessons that we got that side from playing against top teams.
“Things like tactical awareness and those things. As a team, we get to learn and we test ourselves, which is very important. Looking ahead next season, it will help a lot and it gives us a base for us to push on and be successful again,” said the Bucs skipper.
