Games against Sekhukhune United and Stellenbosch FC are the type of games that are always of fine margins and it’s in those games that you need someone who can just finish a half chance because it’s sort of games that clear cut chances are not always going to be plenty but unfortunately Bucs lacked that sort of a player to help them grind and this is not to say they didn’t try hard to win.

Orlando Pirates had few chances to score especially just at the stroke of half time but Makgopa was unfortunate to watch as Renaldo Leaner saved his short on the line apart from that, it was only half chances that needed someone who is prolific enough to put them away but it wasn’t to be. The good thing is, Bucs is equal on points with log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns FC though having a game in hand of which it must be a win at all costs to retain their realistic chances of fighting for the title this season. We expected Orlando Pirates to win especially after rivals had won midweek but looking at the type of opponents they faced, it was always not going to be easy just to collect points and move on. Overall, I think a point gained from this game it’s a point that can be appreciated later in the season.

As I previously said many times, Orlando Pirates Club’s biggest challenge even under Jose Riveiro, was inconsistency in the first round of the season as the second round the team became more consistent in terms of performances and results and considering that they have been almost flawless in the first round of the season to accumulate more points at this stage of the season, suggests that even though they will drop a point here and there, they are in a far better position to challenge for the league title than previous season.

BUCS TO MAKE STATEMENT OF INTENT IN RESUMPTION AS RIVALS CLOSES IN

The departure of Mbekezile Mbokazi who has been solid, reliable, dependable and almost irreplaceable, will surely be something that the opponents will be looking at as something that could leave Abdeslam Ouaddou’s men with a soft spot under belly especially at the heart of defence despite expected returns of Towering and ambidextrous Nigerian Olisa amongst others in that backline. Orlando Pirates Football Club defence should put more effort to ensure that they don’t give any impression that it was the departed Rolls-Royce defender who has been making their defence to look far better than it actually is.

Having already lost to Sekhukhune United at the beginning of the season, the Buccaneers have since improved tremendously and went on in an unbelievable consistency that could not be associated with them in the first half of the season three years ago and with players like Oswin Appolis, Tshepang Moremi, Lebone Seema and Masindi Confidence Nemtatjela having adapted well and play pivotal roles in helping the club to win two trophies since then, The Moroccan born tactician must be very confident that he’s troops can continue where they left off before the AFCON break. New signings of the current transfer window are expected to make their debut on Saturday afternoon against Babina Noko especially the Zimbabwean wing wonder Daniel Msendami and the highly intelligent and tactical Andre De Jong whose Towering frame could be called upon late in the game to put more pressure in opposition defence while making those clever movements in the hole allowing dynamic, speed and goalscoring teammates to get in dangerous spaces in and around the box.

Victories for Mamelodi Sundowns FC and Kaizer Chiefs midweek, will surely propel the Buccaneers to win at all costs so that they retain their advantage at the top still with a game in hand. Nobody wants to find himself chasing Mamelodi Sundowns especially from February and March because it can be a daunting task since they hardly put any foot wrong when they smelled the blood that they’re so familiar with. With the depth and quality assembled for the coach this season, the team has enough ammunition to ensure that there’s consistency irrespective of few injuries and suspensions. In the previous seasons especially the first two seasons under Jose Riveiro, Bucs lacked consistency in the first round though they always finished strong and if the boys can maintain the consistency in performance and results of the first round under Ouaddou, this could just be the season that Buccaneers have been waiting for in more than a decade.