Orlando Pirates legend Benedict Tso Vilakazi has tipped the Soweto giants to pip perennial league kings Mamelodi Sundowns to the championship this season, believing his former club can win all their remaining games, while he fears the Brazilians can slip up.
On the back of their Caf Champions League semifinal elimination by Egyptian side Pyramids FC on Friday, Pirates have shifted their focus to the Betway Premiership where they face Sekhukhune United at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday night 7.30pm.
Pirates 46 points from 20 matches are nine points behind Downs 55 from 22, with two games in hand. Bucs have a gruelling eight league matches left to complete the league season and the Brazilians six.
Sundowns have the notable distraction of the two-legged Caf Champions League final against Pyramids on May 24 and June 1 while they also aim to focus on clinching what would be a remarkable, record-extending eighth Premiership title in succession. Pirates will be happy to get their lone distraction defending their two successive Nedbank Cup titles in the final against Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 10 out of the way soon so they can knuckle down in the league.
Before that huge final matchup, Bucs have a first Soweto derby against Chiefs in the league at FNB Stadium to negotiate on Saturday 3pm, after Wednesday's clash against Sekhukhune.