WITH the Premier Soccer League again going down to the wire, Orlando Pirates' mental fortitude is emerging as a big factor that could work in their favour on this Saturday's two-horse race final day of the season.
Pirates, on 55 points, are two points ahead of second-placed challengers Moroka Swallows, following the Buccaneers' stirring come-from-behind 2-1 victory against Bloemfontein Celtic at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Bucs face Lamontville Golden Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium in their final game.
Swallows - who kept themselves in the title race with a third straight victory, 2-1 against Platinum Stars at Dobsonville Stadium - face Maritzburg United away.
Bucs' performance against Celtic, keeping their nerve against a committed defence after conceding a soft opener to Letladi Madubanya in the third minute, and producing late goals via Thulasizwe Mbuyane (73rd) and Siyabonga Sangweni (77th), was the stuff champions are made of.
Caretaker coach Augusto Palacios said the experience gained by his side in winning a treble last season, and stealing the league title on the final day, is what is standing the star-studded Buccaneers in good stead this campaign. Pirates have been unbeaten in nine matches at the business end of the season.
"It's an honour for me to have these kinds of players," Palacios said. "I have Bafana Bafana players and I think the confidence of the players in this kind of pressure came from last year.
"I am very happy with the character, where we knew that we made an early mistake, but in the second half we were pushing our midfield more forward and were attacking more from the wing.
"We knew the goal would come if we put pressure, and the goal arrived."
Celtic counterpart Clinton Larsen agreed that Pirates' performance was a display of championship material: "That is what champions are made of. To come and win it with all the pressure they were under, all credit must go to them."
Palacios revealed that Bucs' build-up to the Celtic game was geared towards relaxation and taking the players' minds off a pressure match.
"At the start of the week we went to aerobics and the swimming pool. On Friday we never touched the ball - we played volleyball. On Wednesday we had a braai, with all the players," he revealed. "I didn't want the players to practise too much with the ball - they must be hungry come match day. And this coming week we will create more activities.
"There is pressure but I believe with the spirit that the players have they can absorb it."
The Peruvian said a dramatic atmosphere at Orlando, where Pirates were roared on by their home support, lifted his players.
"Today we never saw the supporters making the signal to substitute. They came in numbers, they filled the stadium, and for the players to play in front of this crowd was one of the key components that motivated them."
Apart from experience, the other big factor in Pirates' favour as they seek a historic second successive treble is their depth: "We have extra players in each position. At striker we have Rudolf Bester, Ndumiso Mabena, Benni (McCarthy), Juju (Mbuyane) and TK (Tokelo Rantie).
"We have four wings - Mark Mayambela, Daine Klate, Tlou Segolela and Terminator (Dikgang Mabalane). We have Benson Mhlongo to call on, we have the depth - quality players."
PSL - It's Crunch Time
WITH the Premier Soccer League again going down to the wire, Orlando Pirates' mental fortitude is emerging as a big factor that could work in their favour on this Saturday's two-horse race final day of the season.
Pirates, on 55 points, are two points ahead of second-placed challengers Moroka Swallows, following the Buccaneers' stirring come-from-behind 2-1 victory against Bloemfontein Celtic at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
Bucs face Lamontville Golden Arrows at Moses Mabhida Stadium in their final game.
Swallows - who kept themselves in the title race with a third straight victory, 2-1 against Platinum Stars at Dobsonville Stadium - face Maritzburg United away.
Bucs' performance against Celtic, keeping their nerve against a committed defence after conceding a soft opener to Letladi Madubanya in the third minute, and producing late goals via Thulasizwe Mbuyane (73rd) and Siyabonga Sangweni (77th), was the stuff champions are made of.
Caretaker coach Augusto Palacios said the experience gained by his side in winning a treble last season, and stealing the league title on the final day, is what is standing the star-studded Buccaneers in good stead this campaign. Pirates have been unbeaten in nine matches at the business end of the season.
"It's an honour for me to have these kinds of players," Palacios said. "I have Bafana Bafana players and I think the confidence of the players in this kind of pressure came from last year.
"I am very happy with the character, where we knew that we made an early mistake, but in the second half we were pushing our midfield more forward and were attacking more from the wing.
"We knew the goal would come if we put pressure, and the goal arrived."
Celtic counterpart Clinton Larsen agreed that Pirates' performance was a display of championship material: "That is what champions are made of. To come and win it with all the pressure they were under, all credit must go to them."
Palacios revealed that Bucs' build-up to the Celtic game was geared towards relaxation and taking the players' minds off a pressure match.
"At the start of the week we went to aerobics and the swimming pool. On Friday we never touched the ball - we played volleyball. On Wednesday we had a braai, with all the players," he revealed. "I didn't want the players to practise too much with the ball - they must be hungry come match day. And this coming week we will create more activities.
"There is pressure but I believe with the spirit that the players have they can absorb it."
The Peruvian said a dramatic atmosphere at Orlando, where Pirates were roared on by their home support, lifted his players.
"Today we never saw the supporters making the signal to substitute. They came in numbers, they filled the stadium, and for the players to play in front of this crowd was one of the key components that motivated them."
Apart from experience, the other big factor in Pirates' favour as they seek a historic second successive treble is their depth: "We have extra players in each position. At striker we have Rudolf Bester, Ndumiso Mabena, Benni (McCarthy), Juju (Mbuyane) and TK (Tokelo Rantie).
"We have four wings - Mark Mayambela, Daine Klate, Tlou Segolela and Terminator (Dikgang Mabalane). We have Benson Mhlongo to call on, we have the depth - quality players."
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