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MESSIAH: Swallows coach Gordon Igesund. Picture taken from www.sportlive.co.za

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It would be the 55-year-old's fifth championship, which would set a new individual record for a coach in South African professional soccer history.

Second-placed Swallows would need to come from behind in the standings and overhaul Orlando Pirates in a dramatic end to the season. It would be a miraculous recovery for a side that just 18 months ago looked headed down to the National First Division after a disastrous start to the 2010-2011 season.

Igesund was brought in halfway through the season and has engineered a remarkable turnaround, not only saving the Birds' top-flight status but turning them from relegation candidates into championship contenders.

Already he is a record- holder of four titles along with Jeff Butler and Ted Dumitru. Butler and Dumitru achieved their success with two clubs each but Durban-born Igesund has four titles with four different outfits.

This already would make him the best in most people's books, given his ability to win with not only the major, big-spending and top supported clubs but also with unfashionable outfits like Manning Rangers and Santos.

Butler took his four titles in five seasons while Dumitru had already been in South African football for more than a decade before he won his first title in 1998.

Besides Igesund, the only other active coach with previous league success is Gavin Hunt, who also has an outside chance of a fourth title this season with SuperSport if the results on Saturday go his way.

Hunt's three back-to-back titles from 2008 to 2010 matched the only previous hat trick, achieved by Butler from 1991 to 1993.

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Mon May 20 13:47:23 SAST 2013 ::

May 10, 2012

svavava

PIRATES PULL UP YOUR SOCKS, U HAVE TO WIN AGAINST BLOEM CELTICS
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May 10, 2012

ProudSAcan

svavava
PIRATES PULL UP YOUR SOCKS, U HAVE TO WIN AGAINST BLOEM CELTICS
-------------------------------------------------------

Svavava the whole of South Africa is hoping Pirates lose and Swallows to win the league. I love it when Pirates is under pressure and everybody is against them cause that is when they are most dangerous. Just like we were told that we playing "cup specialist" in the final of MTN8 and that we wont win the match, we will soldier on and prove people wrong. Just like we were told that Wits will skin us alive in the Telkom Cup, Pirates will emerge winners. Swallows and other rented supporters note that Swallows can end up with 56 points, Mmmmh.... 52 points + 6 points = ???????????
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May 10, 2012

Kinggeezo

He doesn't need to pull this one off to earn my respect, he is a great coach and has proven beyond reasonable doubt. I just fail to understand why can't S.A.F.A acknowlege this great man's abilities, let alone achievements. The best they can give us is this arrogant Mosimane who hasn't achieved half of what Gordon has, or is it a case of blind leadership?
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May 10, 2012

mageu#8zola

Hi
Jealous down this man is good, think for a minute. "It would be a miraculous recovery for a side that just 18 months ago looked headed down to the National First Division after a disastrous start to the 2010-2011 season". Then Pirates hire the coach that put Swallows on the edge of relegation, look he is good. I am chiefs or family business or I was their fan. Anyway would be nice if the team can win the league.
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May 10, 2012

Dieheart

You have a remarkable record so far Gordon but you won't win the league this time around with swallows. In fact, I see a situation whereby the champs successfully defend their title on Saturday as Pirates are the only team that is going to win amongst the teams gunning for the league.

Proudly Buccaneer!!!
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May 10, 2012

Dzel

Gordon for president! No, Gordon for National Team Coach, some of us have been saying this for the past 5 years yet it seems those in charge of SAFA cannot recognize a good coach when they see one.

Gordon proved his worth a long time ago or maybe race is a factor for at geniuses that run our football.
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May 10, 2012

sabza007

@All : I can guarantee you that Pirates will draw against Bloemfontein Celtic and will loose against Golden Arrows. I bet with my lovely dogg.
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May 10, 2012

Abbucs

The current threat to Pirates defending the champioship title is not Swallows or Sundown, but Pirates itself. The game against Celtic it's a MUST WIN... with the posibility of retaining the title end of the game if things goes our way. I take this coming game as the mos important crucial tough one of the season and players need to be themselves not to play with emotions, and Bucs would win this one with ease. Swallows could surprise but I think we got the urge with the players we have, very important Pirates must avoid concede early stupid goal to the opponent. Then the title is safe home where it belong.
BUCCANEAR 2GRAVE......
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May 10, 2012

letwadi

Jimmy Augosti has already received the first installment towards loosing game. This one game we will be seeing Jimmy on the bench, to make sure that the toothless one's plan doesn't get derailed and the final installment will be wired via cayman's islands to Greece then to some fish chips cafe in Botshabelo
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May 10, 2012

khunezwifey

c'mon sowetan wats up now?
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