Pirates beat TS Galaxy to claim second spot.

Orlando Pirates strengthened their Caf Champions League spot hopes when they defeated TS Galaxy 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Mbombela Stadium.

Goals from Terrence Dzvukamanja 2' and Deon Hotto 59', were enough to see Pirates brush aside TS Galaxy to stretch their winning streak to six games in the Dstv Premiership.

Pirates enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, after scoring the opening goal within two minutes, looking more comfortable of the two sides, averaging 57% of the ball, and could have gone 2-0 ahead within six minutes after a ball deflected by Given Msimango almost ended up at the back of the net.

But Galaxy were not lying down and playing dead either, with Orebotse Mongae and Kamogelo Sebelebele threatening on quick offensive transitions.

Given Msimango headed Galaxy level on the 39th minute with a glancing header from the near post, before Hotto put Pirates back ahead nine minutes after half-time.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/its-like-being-fed-honey-on-knife.html?m=1

While Pirates enjoyed most of the ball, TS Galaxy once again relied on their good defensive organization to keep the score line respectable, limiting Pirates to 11 goal attempts, much lower than Amabhakaniya's standards, although they still managed to put five shots on target.

With offensive play not their strength, Galaxy still managed seven goal attempts and four shots on target.

With this win and only three matches to go, Pirates are now hot favorites to join Mamelodi Sundowns in the Caf Champions League next season.

Pirates next play Royal AM on Wednesday 03 May at Orlando Stadium, kick-off is at 15:00.

Can TS Galaxy end Pirates' winning streak?

Orlando Pirates will travel to Mbombela Stadium on Sunday 30 April to face TS Galaxy in a Dstv Premiership encounter to Kick-off at 15:00.

Going to Sunday's match, Pirates are riding on a wave of excellent form, having won five league games in a row to boost their chances of clinching the Caf Champions League spot.

The hosts, TS Galaxy, have not been doing all too well. They have won one, drawn two, and lost two of their last five games, a poor run of form that makes it hard to believe they can stop Pirates.

But Galaxy can be a different side to play against, especially when it comes to breaking down their well organized defensive structure.

The Rockets have conceded just 17 goals so far this season, averaging 0.65 goals conceded per match in the league, which makes them the second best defense in the Dstv Premiership.

But it is their performances in the final third that have been a huge let down.

Galaxy are not a team that creates a lot of big chances. Their xGF (expected goals for) average is a poor 1.06 per match in the league.

It reflects on their 0.81 goals scored per match average.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/the-effort-and-attitude-were-second-to.html?m=1

Having to go up against another stubborn defence in Pirates, doesn't leave much hope for them considering their poor exploits in front of goal.

Pirates average 0.69 goals conceded per match in the league, and they have let in just one goal more than Galaxy.

What gives Bucs even a bigger advantage going to Mbombela, despite their reach vein of form, is their improvement when it comes to finding the back of the net, having scored 11 goals in five league matches.

In a nutshell, all Pirates needs is to be more ruthless in front of goal, making use of an avalanche of chances they create in almost every match, while keeping their impressive defensive structure to dispose of TS Galaxy.

*Stats Source: footystats

Hire qualified coaches instead of 'clueless' pundits - Says Ramovic.

TS Galaxy head coach, Sead Ramovic, is a man who is not afraid to speak his mind. This time around it is TV pundits who have received a sucker punch from the tactician.

Ramovic, probably angered by the utterings of a certain TV pundit, has come out guns blazing, saying the TV expects must get some football education.

Ramovic went on to mention the likes of Roy Keane and Thierry Henry, who are former players, TV pundits, and highly qualified coaches.

ALSO READ: https://safootballtxt.blogspot.com/2023/04/will-sundowns-be-made-in-mokwenas-image.html?m=1

"Roy Keane, Thierry Henry and Jammie Carragher…top players and experts in England. All of them have the Uefa Pro, so it means top class level for a pundit. What about South Africa? They have someone who played maybe four games for Orlando Pirates and then disappeared. No [football] education, and then he talks about our structure that he hasn’t really seen?," Ramovic told SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/sead-ramovic-slams-tv-pundits-calls-for-educated-analysis

On the point of hiring qualified unemployed coaches as TV pundits, Ramovic might have a point.

Their analysis could make watching the half-time and post match analysis more educational.

"I then ask myself ‘you don’t have a clue about soccer’. When I watch a lot of games, explanations from him about the game and structure…I hear a lot of nonsense. So it means you have to put the level up. He cannot get a job like this, he’s not at the right level. You have fantastic coaches [in the PSL] with knowledge, but don’t have jobs. Why not let them be the experts that everybody can learn something from?"