Motale: Pirates’ games in hand could put them top of Betway Premiership

Orlando Pirates’ three matches in hand give them a significant advantage over Betway Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, according to club legend Edward Motale.

Sundowns currently top the table on 20 points from eight matches, while Pirates have 13 points after playing only five games. Pirates’ reduced schedule has been caused by their involvement in the CAF Champions League preliminary qualifiers.

They can cut the gap to four points on Thursday when they host Durban City FC in Orlando. Durban City have won only one of their five league matches.

Motale said Pirates’ outstanding fixtures offered a major opportunity, although he acknowledged that the matches still had to be won.

“It’s a huge advantage to Pirates because we’re gonna play three games without pressure; just two wins take us to 19 points, but the big challenge is we still have to win them,” Motale told KickOff.

Winning all three would take Pirates to 22 points and move them above Sundowns.

“If we win all three matches in hand, we will be on 22 points. I will be on top. I don’t wish for Sundowns to drop points, I just want Pirates to win all their games. La bafana ba hot,” he said.

Motale also praised head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and the club’s recruitment and management structures for helping new players adapt quickly.

“Credit to the coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, the methodology he is using allowed these boys to fit in easily. The system the management is using currently is making every coach’s job easy,” he said.

“Thanks to the likes of Nkosana, Mpumi Khoza, and the scouts. They always put right people in right positions.”