Former Orlando Pirates playmaker Joseph Kamwendo - Orlando Pirates Media.
Former Orlando Pirates playmaker Joseph Kamwendo has rated the performance of the current squad and explained what it would take for them to end Mamelodi Sundowns’ silverware dominance in South Africa.
Pirates have started the season impressively, retaining the MTN8 title and going unbeaten for the better part of the Betway Premiership, only losing the top spot to Sundowns after the shock 1-0 loss to Stellenbosch last week.
Such performances have seen many analysts predicting that the Buccaneers could end the dominance of Sundowns who have won the league title for seven consecutive seasons.
Kamwendo acknowledged that Pirates have started the season consistently and seem championship materials. “Pirates have started well this season by winning some consecutive league games. The usual challenge with Pirates is consistency but now, if you can see, there is consistency in the early stages,” he said.
“Teams that win the championship are those that have the consistency. Pirates have started the season strongly even though they lost to Stellenbosch. I believe that if they continue, they will challenge for the league title this season.”
With coach Rulani Mokwena leaving the Pretoria-based side and Manqoba Mngithi at the helm, there are doubts about Sundowns league title retention due to transitional issues.
However, the Malawian refused to rule out the Betway Premiership champions from defending their title. “You can never take anything away from teams like Sundowns. Those are champions not by fluke. They are champions because they are very organized. You can never rule them out. Sundowns will always be Sundowns. Sundowns will always challenge for the titles," the ex-Caps United star explained.
"Therefore, it will be tough to say now that Pirates will go all the way and win the league, but if they can continue collecting points now, it would help them in the second round when the league is tough. So far, so good.”
The Soweto giants have started the CAF Champions’ League group phase bid with a 2-1 away win over CR Belouizdad last week before holding Al Ahly 0-0 on Saturday.
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