Orlando Pirates News Today: Sono picks title favourite, Appollis on Player of the Season & more

News making headlines around Orlando Pirates, including Jomo Sono backing the Buccaneers to lift the title, Oswin Appollis’ take on Player of the Season and Mabasa barred against Soweto giants.

Sono makes title wish for Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates legend Jomo Sono is backing his ex-club to win the PSL title despite the huge advantage that Mamelodi Sundowns have.

Pirates have a two-point lead over Sundowns, but have played two games more than the Brazilians, who can go top on Wednesday and still have a game in hand.

However, Sono believes the Buccaneers are in prime position to win a first league title in 16 years.

“It’s going to be difficult, you know. I would love for Pirates to win it since I’m also a Pirate, but it’s going to be difficult for both teams. But we don’t know who is going to cross the finish line first,” Sono said as per KickOff.

Appollis responds to Player of the Season talk

Pirates forward Oswin Appollis is not keen to be drawn into the ongoing talk that he is a potential Player of the Season contender despite his impressive form so far this season.

Appollis’ debut season with the Soweto giants has seen him score 11 goals and add nine assists in all competitions with eight of the goals and six assists in the PSL, igniting talk of being crowned Player of the Year, but the winger is keen on team honours and not individual accolades.

“At the moment our focus is to win games as a group and share the ball as many as we can,” said Appollis as per iDiski Times. “That’s what the group has been doing – whoever is scoring we always there to assist him and that’s what I am doing.

“The Player of the Season is not on my mind at the moment. My job is to score goals and help the team win,” he added.

Why Mabasa won’t feature against Pirates

Tshegofatso Mabasa will not be available for Stellenbosch FC when they play Orlando Pirates on May 5 due to a clause in his contract barring him from featuring against his parent club.

Mabasa is on loan at Stellenbosch from Pirates and will not play against the Soweto giants but can help the Buccaneers’ title quest as he will be available for Stellies’ league clash against Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday.