Orlando Pirates have been crowned Betway Premiership champions, finishing the season with 68 points, two ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns, who ended with 65 points.
Their victory over Orbit College secured the 2025/26 Betway Premiership title, bringing an end to a 14-year wait for league glory and finally breaking Mamelodi Sundowns’ dominance. This win marks a significant milestone for the Buccaneers, as they claim their first league championship since the 2011/12 season.
Orlando Pirates Claim League Glory
The team’s fifth title of the PSL era is a testament to their hard work and dedication. Previous triumphs were achieved in the 2000/01, 2002/03, 2010/11, and 2011/12 seasons. The result also confirmed Orbit College’s relegation, just one season after their promotion to the top flight.
Pirates started strong, with Relebohile Mofokeng having an early effort ruled offside within the first three minutes. Thalente Mbatha then tested the goalkeeper from distance in the eighth minute. Mofokeng remained a key player, coming close again on 12 minutes, and missing another big opportunity four minutes later.
The biggest chance of the half fell to Tshepang Moremi, who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper in the 33rd minute. However, he clipped his effort over the crossbar, leaving the title race still hanging in the balance. The breakthrough came deep into first-half stoppage time, when Pirates won a corner, and Orbit goalkeeper Sabelo Nkomo punched the ball into his own net, giving the Buccaneers the lead.
A New Era Begins
The second half saw Pirates strike again, as Orbit defender Ndumiso Ngiba turned the ball over his own goalkeeper under pressure from Yanela Mbutha, making it 2-0 in the 48th minute. Moremi had another opportunity moments later but rushed his effort over the bar. This time, however, it did not matter, as the title was heading to Orlando.
Between 2017/18 and 2024/25, Mamelodi Sundowns captured eight straight league titles, reshaping the domestic game through dominance, depth, and consistency. Pirates were often the closest challengers, finishing runners-up five times during that period, while collecting domestic cups. Having earlier won the MTN8 and Carling Knockout, Abeslam Ouaddou’s team are now treble winners.
