By the time the PSL’s six-week break for the festive season and Africa Cup of Nations began, Orlando Pirates hadn’t been victorious in their last four matches.
That run of results alone is not acceptable for a club of the stature of the Buccaneers, who were South Africa’s sole African Champions League winners until Mamelodi Sundowns took the crown late last year.
But the four-game winless run – two draws and two defeats – came on the watch of interim coach Augusto Palacios, who stepped in from the development structures following Muhsin Ertugral’s dramatic departure in the aftermath of the 6-1 drubbing at the hands of SuperSport United on November 1.
So, surely with six weeks to find a new coach, Pirates – then a lowly 10th on the log with 18 points – would have a new boss when they resumed their league programme against Wits on February 3? Not so…
Instead, they kept Palacios in the hot seat. And on Monday, chairman Dr Irvin Khoza explained that they were planning to unveil the new coach in January, but were dealt a late curveball in the form of a buy-out clause that was too “prohibitive” for them to meet, and that this coach would only be available in May.
But how could a heavyweight club such as Orlando Pirates not have properly studied the contract of this “preferred candidate” at his current side? And if it meant that the deal was just not possible, surely another option had to be ready?
Instead, Palacios continued and the Sea Robbers produced two 0-0 away draws with Wits and Platinum Stars earlier this month before the 6-0 meltdown against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus on Saturday, which ended with ugly riots.
Khoza and the PSL were correct in condemning the actions of the “hooligans” who stormed on to the pitch, pulled out TV cables and damaged property at the home of Blue Bull rugby.
There were also a number of injuries as the “Ghost” vented their anger, and the police should ensure that the guilty parties are dealt with.
But while the violent nature of the protest should never be condoned, it is understandable why the Pirates fans had had enough.
They were promised a new coach in January, and that didn’t happen. There was no shortage of suitable available candidates either – Roger de Sa, Giovanni Solinas, Ruud Krol, even Kosta Papic… The list goes on.
In recent weeks, Benni McCarthy has also made it known that he would be interested in the head-coaching role, although an assistant post may be more suitable at this early stage of his management career.
Instead, it had to take a 6-0 tennis score at the hands of Masandawana for Pirates to take immediate action, with Khoza announcing on Monday that a new coach – essentially their second choice – would be named next week Monday.
But before that, Pirates face Wits on Wednesday and then they travel to the Mother City to take on log-leaders Cape Town City on Saturday night. It doesn’t get tougher than that at the moment, yet Palacios will remain in charge for those two games.
Pirates are still 10th on the log, which is simply an embarrassing state of affairs. South African football needs a strong Orlando Pirates side, like Kaizer Chiefs, as that can also translate into success for Bafana Bafana – as we saw in the 1996 Afcon triumph, which was preceded by the Buccaneers’ 1995 Champions League success.
Instead, it’s rookies Cape Town City leading the charge, Chiefs a point behind and the likes of SuperSport United, Wits and Sundowns with games in hand.
How can Pirates be a mid-table club? It should never have come to this…