Pirates seek more treasure

Pirates seek more treasure

With tens of millions up for grabs in this weekend’s various TAB soccer pools, the big questions are whether Pirates can successfully defend their MTN8 title and whether Chiefs can end their long, long silverware drought – answers should be forthcoming soon.

By Mark Gleeson

Orlando Pirates finished a long way off Mamelodi Sundowns in last season’s tussle for the DStv Premiership title, but that failure was mitigated by the club winning two cup trophies.

The Buccaneers were MTN8 winners just before the World Cup last year and then completed the season with more silverware as they also took the Nedbank Cup.

On Saturday, Pirates begin their defence of the MTN8 crown at home to Sekhukhune United - a replay of May’s Nedbank Cup final - where Pirates edged Brandon Truter’s team with a last-gasp goal for a 2-1 victory.

The Buccaneers, despite losing their opening league game of the campaign, will be fancied at home but the side from Polokwane are always defensively tough to break down. Pirates had plenty of possession in last Saturday’s game against Stellenbosch and battled away relentlessly, but could not get the goals they were looking for. It might be the same again at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

Sundowns suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Pirates in the MTN8 semi-final last season, which precipitated the changing of coaching arrangement at the champions. Manqoba Mngqithi was demoted from co-coach with Rulani Mokwena becoming the boss, and since then the Brazilians have lost only one match. That incredible statistic is unlikely to change as they go up against Moroka Swallows on Saturday.

Kaizer Chiefs’ long search for silverware continues on Sunday but they will not be fancying an away trip to Cape Town City. Although they usually get the better of City, this Chiefs side looks devoid of confidence and the managerial switch that the club has made does not inspire much confidence either.

City have kept the same side from last season and are looking a little more patient and resilient. It could be another frustrating afternoon for Chiefs supporters.

This weekend marks the return of the Premier League in England where champions Manchester City kick matters off away at promoted Burnley on Friday.

It is a match that pits Pep Guardiola against his former captain Vincent Kompany, who gave sterling service to City and has a statue outside their stadium.

But the most anticipated clash of the weekend must be big-spending Chelsea against Liverpool on Sunday, when both will be looking to make up for unhappy campaigns last term.

It is a debut run for Blues coach Mauricio Pochettino, who must contend with a squad in flux after a big clear-out. He does have a chance to mould a core group of young players but that could take time.

Liverpool are also still trying to work out their line-up for the coming season and Jurgen Klopp has admitted there are one or two ‘holes’ that need to be filled in the transfer market.