The fact that Orlando Pirates are lagging behind in DStv Premiership matches, coupled with their progression to the quarterfinals of the Carling Knockout, means they will have a hectic build-up to next month’s Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs.
The AmaKhosi will have only two games between now and the November 11 clash at FNB Stadium, but Pirates must play five times in the 18 days before they lock horns.
It could certainly change the dynamic of the fixture and is not ideal preparation, but the fact that they have only played five league games so far – while the rest of the division have featured in at least eight – is going to count against them in this period.
Of course, they had matches moved for CAF Champions League participation before their shock exit at the hands of Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy.
But so did Sekhukhune United for their CAF Confederation Cup run and they have played nine times in the league already, almost double the number of games as Pirates. It was matches moved in the latter’s MTN8 campaign that are now coming back to bite.
It creates a headache for Pirates coach Jose Riveiro ahead of the Derby with fixtures coming thick and fast and little time to implement anything on the training pitch.
He will also be wary of injuries and suspensions that could mount, putting his squad under pressure ahead of what is always their biggest league game of the season.
Pirates are back in action on Tuesday with a catch-up league game at AmaZulu, who defeated Chiefs 1-0 in the Carling Knockout first round on Saturday. It will be no easy task against an organised Usuthu who are starting to find form after a slow start under their Spanish coach Pablo Martin.
Pirates are then due to host in-form Polokwane City on Friday in a quick turnaround for them in the league, before they make the long journey to Cape Town for another clash with lowly Spurs on November 1.
Those two sides met in the Carling Knockout this weekend, with Pirates winning 2-0.
They will then play their quarterfinal of that competition on November 4 away at Richards Bay as their road-trip continues, before racing back to Soweto to host Sekhukhune United in the league three days later.
That will give them very little time to prepare for the Derby against Chiefs with Pirates having crisscrossed the country and averaged a game every three or so days.
With The Buccaneers sitting in a lowly 14th position in the league table due to their lack of matches (W2 D1 L2), Riveiro admits they need to start climbing the table or be cut off from the leading teams.
“The league is the most important competition, it goes without saying,” Riveiro said. “Thirty games, 15 away and home against everyone in every circumstance, hot and raining. So, it’s the most important competition and we really want to find our rhythm there.
“Now we have played our fourth competition in two-and-a-half months. We are trying to keep the level in all competitions we play. It is difficult mentally to face these kinds of competitions in a very short space of time.
“It doesn’t mean the other tournaments are not important. It is an opportunity to improve the history of the club. Our focus now is on AmaZulu, Polokwane City and Cape Town Spurs again because we really want to compete in the league as well.”
The games do also give Riveiro a chance to play some players back into form and match fitness – such as Thembinkosi Lorch and Kermit Erasmus, who have barely been used so far this season.
KAIZER CHIEFS’ FIXTURES AHEAD OF THE SOWETO DERBY
October 28 v Lamontville Golden Arrows (away)
November8 v Cape Town Spurs (home)
ORLANDO PIRATES’ FIXTURES AHEAD OF THE SOWETO DERBY
October 24 v AmaZulu (away)
October 27 v Polokwane City (home)
November 1 v Cape Town Spurs (away)
November 4 v Richards Bay (away)
November 7 v Sekhukhune United (home)