Makhaula: It’s Sad To See Sundowns Win The Leagues
Orlando Pirates midfielder Makhehleni Makhaula believes the club’s hunger, smart recruitment, and collective belief give the Buccaneers a genuine chance of ending their long wait for another league crown.
The Buccaneers are enjoying a remarkable campaign and currently sit at the top of the Betway Premiership standings with 38 points, opening a six-point gap over defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who are second on 32 points.
The Buccaneers’ impressive run has revived hopes of a first league triumph in more than a decade and what would be their fifth title in the Premier Soccer League era since 1996/97.
Makhaula credited the work done behind the scenes for the team’s strong position, highlighting the role played by the club’s leadership and recruitment structure in assembling a competitive squad capable of sustaining a title challenge.
“I think the club, especially the chairman and the scouting team, the players that they brought in the squad, they also promoted others in the first team, you can see that they are very hungry and want to win more and make history for themselves,” Makhaula said.
“I think they also want to win the league, most definitely, because I think they can do it if they believe in themselves.”
Pirates’ last league success came in the 2011/12 season, when they completed back-to-back titles after also lifting the trophy in 2010/11.
Since then, it’s only Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits who won the league, with Sundowns dominating the domestic scene, winning the championship for eight consecutive seasons, with the Buccaneers often finishing as runners-up.
This season, however, the Soweto giants have already secured two domestic trophies – the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout – and remain in contention for the Nedbank Cup after advancing to the last 16, underlining their growing momentum across all competitions.
The next assignment for Pirates is a highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash against Sundowns at FNB Stadium on Wednesday, a fixture many have labelled a potential title decider.
Makhaula, the reigning 2024/25 Premiership Midfielder of the Season, acknowledged the significance of the encounter but insisted the race will not be settled by one result.
“For me, I take every game as much as I can, and everyone is looking forward to this game because it’s sad to always see Sundowns winning the league,” he added.
“But it will make us happy because everyone is expecting this fixture, and everyone is saying it could be the decider of the league.
“But I’m saying what if we play or and what if we win or they win, what if other teams do because we don’t play against Sundowns only.
“This is a big fixture because they are also doing well, and we need to do much so that they will see we’re serious.”
With several matches still to be played, Makhaula’s message is clear – belief, consistency, and maintaining their current intensity will be key if Pirates are to finally dethrone Sundowns and write a new chapter in the club’s history.
