Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza-Zimpapers Sports Hub
JUST five months after swapping the blue-and-white of Marumo Gallants for the famous black jersey of Orlando Pirates, winger Daniel Msendami stands on the verge of achieving what no Buccaneers player has done in 14 years.
That is lifting the South African Betway Premiership trophy.
The Zimbabwe international joined Pirates in a high-profile January transfer that saw him leave a mid-table battle for a full-blown title charge.
Pirates need just one win from their remaining two matches to be crowned champions after defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to TS Galaxy on Tuesday night.
That was their final fixture of the campaign.
Sundowns finished on 68 points and the Buccaneers sit just three points behind with two games in hand and a superior goal difference.
For Msendami, the timing of his move could not have been more perfect.
Speaking at his unveiling in January, Msendami did not hide his emotions.
“Joining Orlando Pirates for me is like a dream come true because it’s one of the biggest teams in Africa,” he said.
“I am very direct. I am a winger who is very direct and always thinking of going forward when I get the ball,” he added.
Msendami becomes the latest in a long line of Zimbabweans to play for the Soweto giants.
The others include the late Tendai Ndoro, Marshall Munetsi and Terrence Dzvukamanja.
But none of these players have had the chance to end a title drought of this magnitude.
Pirates face Emanuel Jalai’s Durban City this weekend at a sold-out Orlando Stadium.
Victory there, or in their final fixture against Orbit College, will seal the championship.
“I am looking forward to delivering and scoring goals to help the team win the remaining matches,” he said. With all eyes now on us as a team, you wouldn’t want to put yourself under pressure but to deliver and be part of a historic moment.”
derick.khumalo