Mamelodi Sundowns

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi said the DStv Premiership trophy may as well already be in Mamelodi Sundowns’ trophy cabinet. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates coach waves the white flag in DStv Premiership title race

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi said the DStv Premiership trophy may as well already be in Mamelodi Sundowns’ trophy cabinet.

Mamelodi Sundowns

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi said the DStv Premiership trophy may as well already be in Mamelodi Sundowns’ trophy cabinet. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi said the DStv Premiership trophy may as well already be in Mamelodi Sundowns’ trophy cabinet.

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The Brazilians are currently 17 points clear of Orlando Pirates at the top of the table having only lost one of the 21 league matches they have played to date this season.

It looks like a one-horse race to claim bragging rights as Mzansi’s top team while the chasing pack are left to fight over who finishes second in the standings.

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The runner-up spot would guarantee that team a spot in next season’s CAF Champions League while the third-placed finisher will play in the CAF Confederation Cup.

In an interview with Soccer Laduma, Ncikazi said that nobody is going to catch Mamelodi Sundowns this season.

“We just have to focus on ourselves and try and gather as much points as possible and get Pirates to the right level, try and play the type of football that is related to the club,” Ncikazi said.

“I know the gap is too big between us and [Mamelodi] Sundowns but we just have to focus on ourselves.

“It is only Sundowns who can take the cup out of their cabinet for competition, but I think the cup is already in their cabinet,” Ncikazi added.

Orlando Pirates last tasted success in 2011/12

Should, or when, Mamelodi Sundowns do make it official, it will be their fifth consecutive top-flight title in Mzansi and their 12th since the PSL era kicked off in the 1996/97 season.

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Orlando Pirates have won four PSL titles, but their last came all the way back in the 2011/12 season.