Orlando Pirates have once again caught form at the right moment of the season, scoring goals for fun. But why could not they maintain such winning run from the early stages of the league?
In Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro's first season, the 2022/23 campaign, the Buccaneers had a promising start, winning the MTN8 but fell flat after that and only peaked towards the end where they won the Nedbank Cup and qualified for the CAF Champions League.
The same scenario is unfolding again this term, after a good start and winning the MTN8 but had a rough patch that ruled them out of the league title race with Mamelodi Sundowns.
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However, just like last season, the Soweto giants are gaining form again, where they are chasing a Nedbank Cup and qualification into the CAF Champions League.
What is holding Pirates back from fighting for thek league, has been the cup final hangover and the inability to manage a tight schedule, that includes continental tournaments.
The Buccaneers find their joy having a break in between matches, as their recent pattern of running riot happened with enough rest in between matches.
The seven goals by Pirates against Kaizer Chiefs (3-2 win) and Hungry Lions (4-0) had a seven-day rest in between and they also scored 11 goals in two games against Golden Arrows (7-1) and AmaZulu (4-2) with a whole week of rest in between.
Riveiro's charges also produced a 4-0 masterclass over Royal AM on Sunday after an eight-day rest following their win over AmaZulu.
The Spanish coach says they have played better games early in the season but the ball was not finding the back of the net.
"We have a lot of talent in the team and the front four is not an exception obviously. Right now we're in the moment where the ball is finding the back of the net. Early in the season I think we played better games than today for example and we didn't manage to score a single goal," Riveiro told journalists after their 4-0 win over Royal AM.
"Right now we're much more confident when we're in the last metres but in the end it's about the team, the 11 on the field, the structure, the football that we believe and when we're in that structure, our individual talent can shine.
"I'm so happy for all of them, excellent human beings and talented players, so I'm happy for them, the fans, happiness," he added.
What Pirates have to address to compete with Sundowns for the title is the effectiveness of their periodization, specifically to deal with fatigue, as they drop too many points when games come thick and fast.
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