AmaZulu FC coach Arthur Zwane believes Orlando Pirates finally deserve to win the Betway Premiership title after years of chasing Mamelodi Sundowns.
The title race has exploded into life after Sundowns suffered a shock 3-2 defeat to TS Galaxy earlier this week.
That result opened the door for the Pirates, who now need just three points from their final two matches to be crowned champions.
The Buccaneers host Durban City at Orlando Stadium on Saturday before ending the season away to Orbit College FC at Mbombela Stadium.
Zwane admitted Pirates have earned the right to finally lift the trophy after years of pushing Sundowns all the way.
“But what do you say about what happened on Tuesday night? Whoever thought it was going to turn out this way?” Zwane said.
“That’s football for you. It’s unpredictable. But by the look of things, Pirates might win the league this weekend.”
Zwane also warned that Orlando Amstel Arena has become one of the toughest places to visit in South African football.
“Sometimes you’ve got to give credit when it’s due,” he said. “That place there… teams go there and get hit by five or six goals.
“We also got hit by three goals there. That team is at a different level at that place.”
The former Kaizer Chiefs coach believes Pirates’ rise has been years in the making.
“When you look at them over the past three years, you could see they’ve been knocking,” said Zwane.
“They’ve been finishing second for the last three seasons, so this has been coming.”
Zwane even compared the Pirates’ journey to Arsenal’s title challenge in England.
“It’s like what has been happening in England,” he added.
“As a person, I think Arsenal should win it because they’ve been pushing for years. But I can’t say it with Pirates because I am a coach in the same league and I should be challenging for it.”
Despite praising Pirates, Zwane remains focused on securing a top-four finish with AmaZulu as they prepare to face Chiefs in Durban this weekend.