Orlando Pirates are set to host Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premier Soccer League outing to be staged at the FNB Stadium.
A win for the defending champions might just be too much for Bucs to sustain their challenge for the title. Masandawana are currently on 58 points, 18 more than the Soweto giants who have played four games less.
It is understandable why some fans and stakeholders feel Bucs have no option but win this weekend. The initial game ended 4-1 in favour of the Brazilians which is another reason for the Buccaneers to push for a win.
Tshegofatso Mabasa insists this weekend's outcome will not stop his team from pushing for the crown.
‘Pirates have to keep on performing’
“I don’t think our title chances depend on this game against Sundowns. We still have a lot of games to play, we still have a lot of points to fight for and anything is possible in football. But we know that on Sunday we have to go out there and fight. Hopefully, we get all three points, which would take us in the right direction if we want to win this league,” he said ahead of the game.
“We want more, we want success for this club, it’s a big brand and we have to keep on performing. There’s a lot of pressure from outside, but together as a group we believe we can achieve many more things this season.
“[Winning PSL] would mean a lot, honestly. We’ve been creating history already with this wonderful club and that will remain in the history books. We have to leave a legacy, we have to leave our mark as the current players.”
Mabasa has further reacted to Hugo Broos' snub from the Bafana Bafana team that will play Lesotho and Benin in the 2026 Group C's World Cup qualifiers, “I am just going to keep knocking on the door. It’s his decision at the end of the day, and all I can do is just keep on pushing as a player.”
