Orlando Pirates face an uphill battle to dethrone Mamelodi Sundowns as they go into this weekend’s clash at the FNB Stadium staring at an 18-point deficit.
Here, Obakeng Meletse looks at the five players that need to stand up to reduce the deficit.
Tshegofatso Mabasa
The Bucaneers are not only in arrears but they might have to deal with a goal difference that is also heavily weighing in the Brazilians favor with every match that passes.
Mabasa was the 2023/24 season golden boot award winner and with only 12 matches of their season still left to play, the left-footed striker has not gone past even half of the 16 goals he scored last season.
The 28-year-old has not had as much game time as he would have wanted and if Pirates are to hand Sundowns their third defeat of the season, he could play a key role with his clinical finishing, but he needs to be given the supply.
Relebohile Mofokeng
Without a doubt, South Africa's most talented player, Mofokeng, together with his Pirates side have had to scrap through a few results in the past few games without a lot of conviction.
So much has been placed on the 20-year-old's shoulders and so far he has done well, even through a bit of a dip in form in recent matches.
A spark is usually around the corner with his talent, and his side has never been more desperate for him to deliver a telling outing as this weekend could paint a picture in terms of their destiny in the championship.
Patrick Maswanganyi
The skillful midfielder has been a key member of the Buccaneers’ side for large parts of the season and his injury setback has been evident, with the team sometimes lacking some of his creative spark to penetrate through some of their opponents defenses.
Against what will be another tough Sundowns side, Jose Riveiro will be counting on his talisman to deliver a championship-winning performance to keep their title charge alive, and if there is anyone that can find gaps in a well-organized Sundowns side, it will be Maswanganyi.
Makhehleni Makhaula
The 35-year-old has also been a go-to guy for Riveiro and he has been an integral part of the Bucaneers side, playing 17 of their 18 matches so far this season.
The defensive midfielder will have a lot on his plate as he will come up against the league's finest in Jayden Adams and Teboho Mokoena, and after being a part of the team that was on the receiving end of a harsh 4-1 loss earlier this season, his contribution in this match will have a lot of say on the balance of the contest.
Nkosinathi Sibisi
Sibisi will face the ultimate test with the league's best attacking team looking to secure what will be their eighth straight league title and 18th overall championship.
Pirates have chopped and changed their central defensive pairings due to injuries and inconsistent form but the recent partnership between the 29-year-old and talented 19-year-old Mbekezeli Mbokazi has seemed formidable so far.
Lucas Ribeiro Costa (13 goals) and Iqraam Rayners (9) are almost guaranteed to get minutes in the game, and as the two leading goal scorers in the league, for Sibisi and his team, they need to stop them in their tracks to keep their title hopes alive.