Pirates' path to glory: Five keys to ending 14-year league title drought

ORLANDO Pirates were arguably the best team in the first half of the season, winning two trophies the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout while finishing top of the Betway Premiership standings.

- MIHLALI BALEKA

ORLANDO Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is desperate to dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns as the champions of South Africa.

(Backpagepix)

Should they continue with all the positives they displayed during that part of the campaign, they could all but be crowned champions of the land come May, ending a 14-year title drought. But that is easier said than done.

They need to take lessons from their shortcomings, as they will be the first to admit that they are still far from being a well-oiled machine.

Below, we look at five areas that coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and his technical team need to strengthen in order to ensure a watertight campaign in their bid to reach the promised land.

The recovery of Makhehleni Makhaula and Olisah Ndah excited the Ghost fans late last year, with the duo having been sidelined for a lengthy spell. However, Makhaula was clearly rusty when he made a handful of appearances, something that must have slightly frustrated Ouaddou as it dented the team's fluidity and cohesion.