Former Orlando Pirates striker Benni McCarthy has weighed in on this season’s Betway Premiership title race.
McCarthy says his former side has their work cut out for them and warns about Sundowns’ strong mental strength in pursuit of the league.
It has been an interesting campaign where the two sides have maintained and interchanged positions at the top of the Betway Premiership table.
Currently the Buccaneers are at the summit with 48 points after dropping points this past weekend against Siwelele. If Sundowns defeats Marumo Gallants on Tuesday, they’ll move to the top and open a two-point gap against Pirates.
For McCarthy, what has been different about the Sea Robbers this term is how they have recruited, saying if they lift the trophy not only will it save face for the domestic league, but it can also inspire other clubs like Kaizer Chiefs.
However, the Kenya coach told iDiski Times senior journalist Matshelane Mamabolo in edition 246 of the newspaper that Pirates have a big stumbling block to face in a Sundowns that knows what it takes to be first on the podium.
“I think the recruitment and everything has been so much better, and Pirates look like they can make a push,” McCarthy told iDiski Times.
“But, yeah, I think it’s really sad that it’s been a long time. Yeah. 14 years ago, was the last time that Pirates dominated and won.
“Credit has to go to Mamelodi Sundowns. Very nice! Patrice [Motsepe] came in, put the money there, it’s easy. You can get sidetracked, but the way that he went about it, he got the right coaches in, he got the right stability to stabilise the club and to win nine back-to-back. Is it nine times?
“I think it’s more competitive, but then Sundowns have been so dominant. It’s like their recruiting is phenomenal. They are relentless in the way they pursue to be champions, it is also applaudable.
“Like, wow, you envy that because to have that mindset, you win the championship, you win the league, you’re the champ and a lot of players lose their focus. Now, you think you’re bigger than what you are. Like, you made it, because that’s very common in South Africa. You win one thing, and all of a sudden, you’re the man, you’re the superstar.”
“But they’ve been at it year after year after year. So, yeah, those players, the mentality that they have is incredible, so you have to commend that. And it will be hard for everybody else to be chasing that because somehow, it’s harder to win. And those players also know what it means to be a champion. And you can see that they thrive on it, and they don’t want to give that up.
“So, it’s not going to be easy for Pirates to surpass that because they know what it takes or what needs to be done to get over the line, because they’ve been doing it for the last eight seasons straight.
“So Pirates have their work cut out for them, but I hope, I think it will be a good advert for South African football if Pirates can change it up and somebody else can win the league, and the dominance is not so high, it’s always a one-sided affair because then I’m sure teams like Chiefs will also be inspired by that.
“‘Like, hey, you know what? Our recruitment, whatever we can do, if Pirates can change that trajectory, we can too.’ And other teams will follow suit, you know?
“So, I’m wishing Pirates all the best in their pursuit of winning the title, and I hope they can do it for South Africa.”
