Orlando Pirates and arch-rivals Kaizer Chiefs must be at their best this season if they are going to turn around their fortunes in domestic football.
Chiefs’ problems are well-documented, as the team has gone nine seasons without a piece of silverware, despite signing personnel they deemed the best. And while Pirates have been cup specialist in the past two seasons, winning four trophies, they continued to struggle in the league with that championship eluding them since 2012.
So, as the two teams aim to correct their mistakes in the 2024/25 season, MIHLALI BALEKA looks at what they need to do to get their houses in order.
PIRATES CAN’T LOOK BACK
Orlando Pirates were the best team in domestic cup competitions in the last two seasons, but they can’t allow themselves to read too much into that. It’s in the past.
There are bigger fish to fry this season. So, they must build on whatever they got right and work on their shortcomings, most importantly. That they haven’t won the league in the past 12 years is a cause for concern, and that’s why most of The Ghost would trade any cup for the league title this season.
CHIEFS MUST HIT TOP GEAR
It will take some time before Chiefs run like a well-oiled machine under new coach Nasreddine Nabi given the damage control he has to do at the club. But Nabi can’t hide behind the excuse that he is “rebuilding” the team. He already knows that he’s dealing with impatient and hungry supporters given their reactions to the loss in the Toyota Cup.
So, it will be important for the Tunisian to find the balance between implementing his philosophy in the team and winning games, especially in cup competitions.
NABI HAS TO DEAL WITH WHAT HE HAS
Since arriving at Chiefs, Nabi has bemoaned the lack of quality in the team, something that the club understand as they recently signed Gaston Sirino. But if Nabi thinks that he’ll always get his way, then he has another thing coming. Chiefs’ bosses usually have a strong say in who comes and goes at the club.
Nabi and his four trusted lieutenants were brought to the club to also get the best out of what they have, and that includes integrating youngsters into the senior team.
A DO-OR-DIE SEASON FOR RIVEIRO
Coach Jose Riveiro is the last year of his contract, having signed a three-year deal in 2022. Hence, he’ll know how important this season is.
For a man who was ridiculed as a ‘plumber’ when he arrived on local shores, he has done impressively well with his silverware collection, winning the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup back-to-back. But any discerning supporter want to have a coach that can win the team league titles as well. After all, that’s the only way the team can rule the land.
CRUCIAL SEASON FOR MOFOKENG
Relebohile Mofokeng was the young prince of local football last season as he didn’t only endear himself to the heart of The Ghost, but the entire football fraternity.
As he enters his third season with the Pirates senior team, though, he’ll know that all eyes will be on him to see of he will build on last season’s performances, and stand out again. In order to achieve that, he has to work on his game continuously, while the personnel around him – technical team and teammates – must continue to support him.