Thwala in confident mood ahead of Downs clash
Lucas Thwala on Tuesday warned Mamelodi Sundowns and the rest of the Premier Soccer League that Orlando Pirates are back and are chasing down the league title.
Such is the incredulous nature of this year's title race that there are arguably 11 sides, separated by eight points, in with a shout of ending the season as champions.
Were Pirates to snaffle the title, it would probably be the most amazing resurrection, frankly, since the biblical Lazarus.
The Buccaneers spent most of this campaign looking like relegation candidates, but, under new coach Bibey Mutombo, an unbeaten run of four wins and two draws have lifted them into 10th place in the table.
Victory over title favourites Sundowns at Loftus on Wednesday evening and suddenly the rest of the league will have to sit up and take notice.
"People were saying we were going to the Mvela League, now we are chasing the championship," said Thwala. "If they are not careful, we are going to take the title."
Mutombo's main asset as coach has been to tighten up Pirates' leaky defence to the extent that they have conceded just two goals under his command.
A major cog in this new-look rearguard is Thwala, who has been converted by Mutombo from a left-back into a central defender.
"Lucas is a good player. It is very important for us to have a player like Lucas because he can play in a variety of positions," says Mutombo.
Thwala is also full of praise for his new coach. "He has helped us a lot," says the 25-year-old.
"He has told us that if it is not on to start play from the back, not to take any chances. But if there is a chance, he has told us to keep the ball."
Mutombo has also been ramming home the concept of "zonal marking", where attacking players are encouraged to track back and help out the defence.
"Whether you are an offensive or defensive player, when you lose the ball you must defend," says the Pirates coach.
Pirates should have plenty of defending to do against Sundowns, who, this weekend, without even playing a league game, gained reason to believe their name is on the title.
With the top two, Ajax Cape Town and SuperSport United, slipping up, Sundowns now know that victory in their games in hand will give them an almost unassailable lead over the rest.
For Pirates, meanwhile, Manuel "Tico Tico" Bucuane is rated doubtful by Mutombo after picking up an injury in the 1-0 win over SuperSport on Sunday.
Bucuane's absence would be a blow to the Bucs as he has added goals and experience to the Pirates attack since his arrival in the January transfer window. And Pirates will need all their attacking power against a Sundowns defence that has conceded just eight league goals all season.
Thwala, however, remains confident.
"I can't say we are going to beat them because they are on form, but it's not going to be easy for them either."
As SuperSport found out, Pirates are becoming one tough nut to crack.