Prelude to the big one

It is exciting times for all  Buccaneer fans,if you cant join beat Pirates you better join us!, on a serious note things are exciting for Orlando Pirates and those associated with the football giant.Reaching the Caf champions league final for the second time is a major milestone in the clubs history,and by extension it is a milestone for South African Football as a whole(we've been a laughing stock of African football for far to long), it is a step to the next level all South African football clubs should strive for,it is not enough to be "Just nje " recognised in  Africa, and Orlando  Pirates are showing, with the right investment in quality players and a unity squad that is wiling to fight to the bitter end,it is possible to reach the pinnacle of African football.

With the CAF champions a week away  Orlando Pirates can focus on 'Frying the smaller fish' (...Kaizer chiefs i mean),not to sound like a" typical arrogant Pirates fan" ,( as my mates say...who of cause are Chiefs fans)but this time Pirates go into the Derby as firm Favorites...(can you blame the Bookies...)considering the recent form of the team,which was capped off with a 4-nil drubbing of Golden arrows in the Telkom Knockout ,one cannot see how Kaizer Chiefs will stop the tide,a sentiment shared by the likes if Ted Dumitru..http://www.soccerladuma.co.za/news/article/south-africa/dumitru-tips-bucs-for-derby-win/139284. with that said Orlando pirates should not underestimate Kaizer Chiefs ,it is a derby after all and past or recent form goes out the window-Kaizer Chiefs will be out for revenge after the Bucs knocked them out of the MTN 8, therefore there is all to play for.

Saturdays Soweto derby is very important for Orlando Pirates , not only for the mere fact that precious  three points and bragging rights are at stake, but for the important fact of keeping the winning momentum going into the Caf champions league, that allone is a stepping stone into realising our dream of the SECOND STAR.http://www.kickoff.com/news/38433/oupa-manyisa-soweto-derby-more-important-than-champions-league-right-now

Did you know Orlando Pirates had a Star above the badge before winning the Champions league in 1995?  check this link out if you don't believe...http://www.kickoff.com/news/38379/the-star-on-orlando-pirates-badge-explained

A time to reflect

With the world cup qualifiers taking place,it is time to reflect on the route the Buccaneers are chartering ; with the Lucky Lekgwathi's  debacle seemingly not over as yet,and judging by his omission from the Bucs travelling squad to Tunisia for Saturdays crucial  semi-final second leg;this matter is far from over.On a different,more positive note;  it is time to, in retrospect think of what Orlando Pirates has been through this season, with congested fixtures ,juggling between tournaments like the MTN 8,the ABSA premier and the all important Caf champions league,not to mention the fact that the team has to battle to overcome physical obstacles like Jet-lag, different time zones;and with not enough  direct flights to these African countries the team  plays in ,the team has to get connecting flight in far flung areas such as the Emirates which takes its toll even to the best players in the world,but the boys have come out stronger than before and are more determined to get that second star.The match against Esperance will be far from easy, with an avid support at their Stade  Olympique de Rades,the Bucs have their work cut out for them, but it's not all doom and gloom; Esperance will also be missing one of their talismanic defenders  Kheled Mouelhihttp://www.kickoff.com/news/38233/star-man-missing-for-esperance-kheled-mouelhi-orlando-pirates-african-champions-league  who picked up a thigh injury on International duty with tunisia this past weekend- this is good news for a Bucs time who has been hamperd by a spate of injuries to top players like ,Sangweni(Intsimbi) and of cause dynamic midfielder, Ntshumayelo .With a win on Saterday night Orlando Pirates will be a step closer to achieving that illusive second star.

calm before the storm

after the ghost ship faced the rough seas during the MTN 8 final and succumbed  to  a determined Platinum stars side albeit via a penalty shootout,tough tough for the bucs seem far from over; with our talismanic captain Lucky Legwathi embroiled in a dispute with the management of the club ,that said his presence is needed now more than ever, going to Tunisia with one of  the Buccaneers greatest captains ever could come around to 'haunt' the ghost; his leadership is inspirational to other player , he gives that assurance that every Orlando Pirates fan wants-that he is prepared to lay his head on the chopping board, with that said we have to look ahead to the match against Esperance;in Tunisia - this match will probably be the most important match in recent Pirates history, bit it can be done matter of fact it should be done; we as fans of the beautiful game in the southern tip of Africa have been denied the prestige of the CAF champions league, which is an insult to us as a football loving nation;with our league being probably the most competitive and lucrative league in Africa-teams like Pirates , Chiefs and Sundowns should be regular contenders.next weekend defeat is not an option, a Pirates victory is not just our victory.... it will be a Southern African victory!

Spoils of war