Orlando Pirates are the reigning Betway Premiership champions and, with Kaizer Chiefs, one of the two most followed clubs in South African football. This profile puts 2026/27 API-Football data next to history and honours checked against the club’s official website, the PSL and other published histories. Where sources disagree, we say so.
The league data below is dated 26 September 2026. For the full standings, see our PSL table page, and for the schedule use the PSL fixtures page.
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Who are Orlando Pirates?
Orlando Pirates are a Soweto club from Johannesburg, formed in 1937 and nicknamed the Buccaneers, or Bucs. They play in the Betway Premiership and won the 2025/26 title, their first league crown in 14 years. Wikipedia also lists the nicknames Sea Robbers and Happy People.
The title was settled on the final day. Also, Pirates beat Orbit College 2-0 at Mbombela Stadium on 23 May 2026 and finished on 69 points, one clear of Mamelodi Sundowns on 68, according to the club’s official website and API-Football. As a result, they ended a wait that began after the 2011/12 championship. In addition, Abdeslam Ouaddou, appointed in 2025 according to Wikipedia, won the league in his first season in charge. The chairman is Irvin Khoza, according to Wikipedia and a published club history.
What is the history of Orlando Pirates?
Orlando Pirates began in 1937 as Orlando Boys Club in Soweto and grew into one of the oldest and most successful clubs in the country. Sources agree on the year and the place, but not on every detail. Moreover, Wikipedia names James Mpanza as a co-founder and says Andrew Bassie suggested the Pirates name around 1944. Additionally, another published history credits boxing trainer Andries Mkhwanazi with urging the boys to form a team, names Bethuel Mokgosinyane as the first president and dates the rename to 1939. Therefore we give only the shared facts.
The first great era came in the early 1970s. Wikipedia lists league titles in 1971, 1973, 1975 and 1976 in the old National Professional Soccer League, and the same published history calls 1970 to 1976 a golden period. However, the years that followed were harder. Also, that history describes decline and instability between 1977 and 1993. Then came a revival under Irvin Khoza in the 1990s, with a league title in 1994 and continental glory a year later.
That continental success arrived in December 1995. In addition, Pirates beat ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Champions Clubs final, and the club’s own site says it was their first appearance in the tournament. South African History Online calls them the first club south of the equator to win the trophy at the first attempt. Moreover, Wikipedia’s list of finals gives the aggregate as 3-2. Since then, the club has added league titles in 2000/01, 2002/03, 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2025/26.
What has Orlando Pirates won?
Orlando Pirates have won 10 league titles, 10 Nedbank Cups, 14 MTN8 trophies and the 1995 CAF Champions League, according to Wikipedia’s honours list. The club’s own site calls the 2024 MTN8 its 13th Top Eight title, which fits a 14th in 2025. Counts can differ slightly between outlets, so treat the totals as a guide.
- League: 10 titles, the latest in 2025/26.
- Nedbank Cup: 10 wins, the latest in 2023/24. The 2023 final was a 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United, according to ESPN and the Nedbank Cup site.
- MTN8: 14 wins, the latest in 2025. The club’s site says Pirates were the first side to defend the trophy twice, after 2022 and 2023.
- CAF Champions League: winners in 1995 and runners-up in 2013, when Al Ahly won the final.
- CAF Confederation Cup: runners-up in 2015 and 2022, according to Wikipedia’s finals list.
Where do Orlando Pirates play their home games?
Orlando Pirates play at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, which holds roughly 37,000 to 40,000 depending on the source. Wikipedia gives 37,313, a published club history says about 37,000, and API-Football says 40,000. Additionally, the 2026/27 fixture list names Orlando Stadium for 12 of the 15 home league matches, two more at Orlando Amstel Arena and one at Ellis Park. Wikipedia treats Orlando Amstel Arena as another name for Orlando Stadium, while API-Football lists it separately. The safe reading is that 14 of the 15 home games are in Orlando itself. Still, check the fixtures page before you travel, because venues for big games can move.
How are Orlando Pirates doing in the 2026/27 Betway Premiership?
Orlando Pirates are second in the table as of 4 November 2026, with 25 points from 9 matches. That leaves them 1 point behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played 9. Overall, that keeps them in the title race.
Their record reads 7 wins, 1 draw and 0 defeats, with 19 goals scored and 1 conceded (goal difference +18). In other words, they are collecting 2.75 points per game. For comparison, that pace is above their 2025/26 average of 2.30.
Every club plays 30 league matches, 15 at home and 15 away. With 8 played, Orlando Pirates have completed 27% of their season, so there is still a long way to go. However, the early table already shows who has started fast.
The split by venue tells a similar story. At home they have won 4, drawn 0 and lost 0. Away from home, however, they have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 0.
What were the last five league results?
Here are the most recent league matches, oldest first:
- won 4-0 away to Kruger United on 1 September 2026
- won 2-0 at home to Durban City on 17 September 2026
- won 2-0 away to Marumo Gallants on 20 September 2026
- won 3-0 at home to TS Galaxy on 13 October 2026
- won 2-1 at home to Kaizer Chiefs on 31 October 2026
Overall, 5 wins from the last five is strong form.
How did Orlando Pirates do last season?
In 2025/26, Orlando Pirates finished first in the 16-club table with 25 points from 9 matches. They won 21, drew 6 and lost 3, scoring 58 and conceding 12.
That was a title-winning campaign, so the challenge now is to defend it. Consequently, the current campaign starts from a clear reference point.
All 2025/26 figures come from API-Football data.
What are Orlando Pirates’s next fixtures?
The next three scheduled league matches, with kick-off times in SAST, are:
- 28 November 2026: home to Golden Arrows (kick-off 18:00 SAST)
- 5 December 2026: home to Stellenbosch (kick-off 15:30 SAST)
- 16 December 2026: away to Richards Bay (kick-off 15:30 SAST)
That is a gap of 17 days after the last league match. Meanwhile, dates and times can move for broadcast or other reasons, so always check the PSL fixtures page and live scores for the latest schedule.
Who are Orlando Pirates’ biggest rivals?
The Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs is the club’s biggest rivalry, and Mamelodi Sundowns are now the main title rival. Chiefs were formed in 1970 by former Pirates player Kaizer Motaung, according to Wikipedia. Also, the PSL dates the first derby to 24 January 1970, a Rogue Beer Cup third-place play-off at Orlando Stadium that Pirates won. In addition, reports differ on the score, with the PSL giving 6-4 and Wikipedia 1-0. The first league meeting followed on 24 April 1971, when Chiefs came back from 3-0 down, according to the PSL’s derby history. Moreover, Wikipedia counts 107 meetings, with 50 Pirates wins, 37 Chiefs wins and 32 draws.
Sundowns matter for a different reason. Additionally, they finished one point behind Pirates last season, 68 to 69, and won the 2026 CAF Champions League, according to Wikipedia and the CAF website. Our Soweto Derby guide covers the fixture in more detail. To explore the neighbours, read the profiles of Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows. Likewise, the PSL teams page links to all 16 clubs.
Who coaches Orlando Pirates and who are the notable names?
Abdeslam Ouaddou is head coach, and the club’s best-known names include 1995 hero Helman Mkhalele and derby hat-trick scorer Jerry Sikhosana. Wikipedia and IOL’s September 2026 coverage both name Ouaddou as coach. Also, Helman “Midnight Express” Mkhalele scored in the home leg of the 1995 final, according to the club’s official site. In addition, Jerry Sikhosana scored a hat-trick in the 1996 derby, which the PSL calls only the third in derby history, and a published history lists him among the club’s greats. Among today’s players, Thalente Mbatha and Relebohile Mofokeng created early chances in the title decider, according to the club’s match report.
We leave out longer player lists on purpose. Many claims about club records appear in only one place, and squads change often.
Where are Orlando Pirates heading?
Orlando Pirates are heading into 2026/27 as champions with a strong start, and they are chasing back-to-back titles. As of 26 September 2026 they are second on 25 points from 9 matches, one point behind Sundowns, who have played one more game. They have won 6 and conceded just once. However, only 23% of the season is done, so the race is far from settled.
The next tests are close together. Moreover, Pirates host TS Galaxy on 18 October, welcome Kaizer Chiefs on 31 October and visit Siwelele on 4 November, as the fixtures section above shows. Meanwhile, you can follow the results on our PSL results page and the Betway Premiership round 7 round-up.
How can you follow Orlando Pirates this season?
Start with the PSL table for the standings and the live scores page on match days. Additionally, the Bafana Bafana fixtures and results page and the South Africa national soccer team players page cover the national side, which is handy when league games pause. Finally, official fixtures and club information are on psl.co.za.
Frequently asked questions about Orlando Pirates
When was Orlando Pirates founded?
Orlando Pirates were founded in 1937 as Orlando Boys Club in Soweto. Sources differ on who named the club Pirates and when.
What is Orlando Pirates’s nickname?
Supporters call Orlando Pirates the Buccaneers or Bucs. Wikipedia also lists Sea Robbers and Happy People.
Where do Orlando Pirates play home games?
Orlando Pirates play at Orlando Stadium in Soweto. The capacity is given as about 37,000 to 40,000, depending on the source, and the 2026/27 fixtures also list Orlando Amstel Arena and Ellis Park.
What has Orlando Pirates won?
According to Wikipedia’s honours list, Orlando Pirates have won 10 league titles (latest 2025/26), 10 Nedbank Cups, 14 MTN8 trophies and the 1995 CAF Champions League.
Where are Orlando Pirates in the PSL table?
As of 26 September 2026, Orlando Pirates are second with 25 points from 9 matches.
