The 14-year wait is finally over. In a historic performance at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, 23 May 2026, Orlando Pirates were crowned Betway Premiership champions, marking an end to their long pursuit of league glory and confirming their dominance in a season that will go down in the club's history books.
A hard-fought victory
Facing a desperate Orbit College side fighting to avoid relegation, the Buccaneers knew that only a win would guarantee the title after a tense run-in. Under the guidance of coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, the Soweto giants entered the match with focus and determination, despite finding an Orbit College defense packed with 11 players behind the ball.
The breakthrough finally came on the stroke of halftime. A well-delivered corner into the box forced Orbit goalkeeper Sabelo Nkomo into a pressured clearance, which he inadvertently punched into his own net, sending the traveling “Ghost” into delirium.
The momentum carried firmly into the second half. Just five minutes after the restart, Pirates doubled their lead. Following persistent pressure from the attacking line, Orbit defender Ndumiso Ngiba attempted a clearance, only to steer the ball into his own net, effectively sealing the 2-0 victory for the Buccaneers.
A record-breaking season
This win marks a crowning achievement in a spectacular 2025/26 campaign. By clinching the Betway Premiership, Orlando Pirates have secured a domestic treble, having already claimed the MTN 8 and the Carling Knockout titles earlier in the season.
Key milestones from this championship run include:
Ending the Drought: The first league title since 2012.
Defensive Prowess: The team matched Kaizer Chiefs' record for the most clean sheets in a single league campaign (21), with goalkeeper Sipho Chaine setting a new individual record for the most shutouts in a season.
Top Performance: Pirates finished the season with 69 points, one point ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns, having recorded the most wins (21), scored the most goals (58), and conceded the fewest (12) throughout the league campaign.
Looking ahead
While the day belonged to the celebrations in Soweto, the result also confirmed the relegation of Orbit College, who finished their campaign on 24 points.
For the Buccaneers, this victory is more than just a trophy; it is a statement of intent. Having halted Mamelodi Sundowns' eight-year reign, the club now shifts its focus to maintaining this high standard for the upcoming season, starting with the defense of their MTN 8 title.