Pirates must go all in to end Sundowns’ reign

SECOND place surely cannot be good enough this time around for Orlando Pirates.

- MATSHELANE MAMABOLO

Bridesmaids to Mamelodi Sundowns in the league for the past two seasons, the Buccaneers must be hellbent on usurping the Brazilians in the upcoming campaign.

They showed last season that they can run Sundowns close, having significantly narrowed the points gap compared to the season before.

The big question, though, is whether the change of coach will have a positive or negative effect on Pirates’ ambitions.

Jose Riveiro managed to give Sundowns a run for their money because he had been at the club for three seasons and had already established a winning formula and built a trusted team that he stuck with.

That continuity could well be affected this time around, with new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou likely to want to build his own team. But why fix it if it isn't broken, right?