Orlando Pirates ended their Betway Premiership season with a 2-0 victory over Orbit College at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday 23 May 2026, finishing second on the log behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo credit: @orlandopiratesfc on X
Orlando Pirates closed their Betway Premiership campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Orbit College at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday in the final round of the 2025/26 season. The Buccaneers finished second on the log behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
Orlando Pirates brought the curtain down on their Betway Premiership season in winning fashion, defeating Orbit College 2-0 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng on Saturday 23 May 2026 in the final matchday of the 2025/26 campaign. The result confirmed Pirates’ second place finish on the log, with Mamelodi Sundowns having already secured the championship title.
How the Goals Came
Orlando Pirates controlled proceedings throughout the match and took the lead when an own goal from Orbit College defender Ngiba put them ahead. Patrick Maswanganyi, who has been one of Pirates’ most creative and consistent performers throughout the campaign, continued to be a constant threat and was instrumental in building the Buccaneers’ dominance. Pirates came close to a third goal when Maswanganyi created a chance for Kamogelo Sebelebele, whose shot across goal was well saved by goalkeeper Nkomo.
Head coach Jose Riveiro made use of the occasion to rotate his squad, with Yanela Mbuthuma and Thalente Mbatha making way for Evidence Makgopa and Abdoulaye Fousseyni Mariko. Oswin Appollis and Nkosikhona Ndaba were replaced by Cemran Dansin and Deon Hotto as the Buccaneers managed the result comfortably through to the final whistle.
A Season to Remember
The 2025/26 Betway Premiership season has been one of the most memorable in Orlando Pirates’ recent history. The Buccaneers finished the campaign with 18 wins, 5 draws and 3 losses from 26 matches, accumulating 59 points and finishing second behind Mamelodi Sundowns who claimed the title with 61 points from 26 games.
Pirates scored 51 goals across the season, the highest goal tally of any team in the division while conceding only 12, giving them a remarkable goal difference of plus 39. The season also produced some landmark moments including a record home attendance of 88,120 fans for the Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs and an unbeaten run of 14 consecutive matches that stretched across the middle portion of the campaign.
Top scorer Junior Dion claimed the Golden Boot with 13 goals. Patrick Maswanganyi was among the most consistently creative players in the division. The Buccaneers also qualified for next season’s CAF Champions League by virtue of their second place finish.
What Comes Next
While the domestic season has concluded, Orlando Pirates’ attention now turns fully to Sunday’s CAF Champions League final second leg against AS FAR in Rabat, Morocco. Pirates head into the second leg holding a crucial 1-0 advantage from the first leg at Loftus Versfeld last Sunday, courtesy of Aubrey Modiba’s stunning free-kick. A place in continental football history awaits if the Buccaneers can hold or extend that lead at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Editors Note All match statistics and results referenced in this article are based on official Betway Premiership records as at 23 May 2026.