Why are Orlando Pirates defenders better than Mamelodi Sundowns defenders? | OneFootball

It seems that the Orlando Pirates defenders will have a major role in deciding the Betway Premiership race.

Why are Orlando Pirates defenders better than Mamelodi Sundowns defenders?

In the high-stakes chess match for the Betway Premiership, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are locked in a dead heat, separated by only the finest of margins—goal difference. But as the battle intensifies, a subtle yet potent weapon is emerging from the Buccaneers' arsenal: the unexpected scorer.

While the spotlight often shines on flashy strikers, it is the contributions from the back that can quietly turn a title race. In this crucial department, the Sea Robbers are crafting a compelling advantage. Of their 16 league goals this season, three have been delivered by the men in defense, showcasing a threat that runs through the entire team.

The evidence is on the scoresheet. Nkosikhona Ndaba, surging from his left-back position, found the net in a vital away victory. Then there's the ageless Deon Hotto, who at 35, proved his enduring value by getting on the scoresheet in a commanding win. This spreading of the goal-scoring responsibility makes Pirates a multifaceted and unpredictable opponent.

In contrast, the Sundowns machine, while potent with 19 total goals, has seen its defensive line contribute just once. The young defender Malibongwe Khoza scored back in September, but since then, the burden has fallen almost exclusively to the attackers and midfielders.

As the season grinds on, this dynamic presents a fascinating subplot. While both titans are level on points, Orlando Pirates, under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, are demonstrating a valuable trait of champions: the ability to find goals from anywhere on the pitch. In a race this tight, that hidden edge from the defense could be the very factor that decides where the trophy ultimately rests.