For all the trophy additions that Orlando Pirates are aiming for after the MTN8 success earlier this season as Jose Riveiro makes his way out, the deciding moments are finally here.
Pirates are now playing games of consequence in the home stretch, starting with the CAF Champions League semi-finals second leg against Pyramids FC on Friday night.
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From there, they will have Betway Premiership duties against Sekhukhune United, Kaizer Chiefs, and Golden Arrows as they seek to close the gap on Mamelodi Sundowns to only three points.
Then, after that, they will play in the Nedbank Cup final on May 10 and if they have gone through in the Champions League, they will then play in the two-legged decider on May 23 and May 31.
"What happens is that the more you do well there, then comes challenges, expectations, and the pressure," points out Mabalane, who was in the famous double treble-winning squad.
"However, more than anything, if you win games, it means you go forward, which is what players want and should expect.
"I believe that they should want to play more games because one day you won’t have games to play because this will be all done.
"Right now, there is an opportunity to achieve a lot in football.
"If you have a star, that star stays with you forever and if you have the league, it also stays with you forever because it will be on record that you won the league.
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"For me, it is more about expecting those challenges and then embracing those same challenges, so go out and play all the games.
"It might be an unrealistic goal, but it is also a double-edged sword that you have to deal with because you have put yourself in that position," says Mabalane.
