Sundowns Star Prays Orbit College Halts Pirates
Mamelodi Sundowns star Aubrey Modiba is urging Orbit College to dent Orlando Pirates’ Betway Premiership title ambitions on the final day, keeping Chloorkop’s hopes of a historic domestic and continental double alive.
Pirates missed an opportunity to secure the Betway Premiership crown after failing to beat Durban City FC at Orlando Amstel Arena, a result they needed to be confirmed as champions.
Sundowns players and management were watching the match while in camp preparing for the first leg of the CAF Champions League Final against AS FAR at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday, where Modiba scored the winning goal.
Sundowns finished their 30 matches on 68 points. Following their 0-0 draw against Durban City at the Orlando Amstel Arena, Pirates sit on 66 points with one match in hand (29 played).
Because Pirates boast a superior goal difference, a win against Orbit College won’t just move them level—it will officially crown them champions.
The Soweto giants will have another opportunity to clinch the title on Saturday when they face Orbit College at Mbombela Stadium, where a victory would secure the championship.
Orbit College had to move this massive fixture away from the unavailable Royal Bafokeng Stadium, with the venue change stripping Orbit of true home-ground familiarity, a massive factor favoring a traveling Buccaneers side.
“We were watching that game. We still believe that anything can happen,” said Modiba.
“But we also know the quality of Orlando Pirates and how badly they want to win the league.
“Hopefully, in the last game, they get the same result. So we are going to hope and pray, but we always believe.”
The decisive second leg of the Champions League final will be played at Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah this coming weekend — the same venue that hosted the Africa Cup of Nations Final between Morocco and Senegal earlier this year.
The atmosphere in Rabat is expected to be intimidating, with coach Miguel Cardoso admitting that his players will have to “close their ears” and focus entirely on the game.
As Sundowns chase what would be their second CAF Champions League title, they are appearing in their second consecutive final after losing to Pyramids FC last season.
Modiba, who was pulled out of the game due to a muscle pull, said the team is determined to make history this time around.
“We also want to make history for this beautiful club,” he said.
“The class of 2016 wanted it badly, just like we do now. We can’t celebrate yet because we still have another difficult game in Morocco. We know their fans will be fully behind them.
“You saw how they filled the stadium, so they will come into that match with a different kind of energy. Hopefully, our dreams can come true after everything we have worked for since joining the team.”
