Lucky number 13 for Orlando Pirates?

Orlando Pirates stand on the brink of making some pretty special history for the club. Here are the nuts and bolts.

Pirates aim to end 13 years of pain

The Sea Robbers last tasted league glory in 2012 when the legendary Benni McCarthy was with the club in the twilight of his wonderful career. Since then, they’ve had to sit by and watch Mamelodi Sundowns hog the limelight. The Brazilians have won seven titles on the bounce and eight of the last nine. Bidvest Wits broke up that sequence in 2016-2017 while Kaizer Chiefs scooped the crown in 2013 and 2015. It’s been a long wait for the Sea Robbers.

Jose Riveiro’s men are well-placed

Currently second in the league and three points adrift of Sundowns after 11 games, Pirates will feel that 2024-2025 is a genuine chance for them to end their drought.

Caf Champions League is another welcome distraction for Orlando Pirates

Jose Riveiro’s Sea Robbers are into the quarter-finals of this season’s Caf Champions League. They’ve still got group-stage clashes to negotiate. If they go all the way to the final and also the Nedbank Cup final, they’ve got a maximum of 31 matches still to play, including 19 in the Betway Premiership. That’s 2790 minutes of competitive action, before stoppages. Nobody ever said that winning silverware was easy.

Pirates need to welcome Saleng back into the fold

Pirates have held the upper hand in recent meetings between these great Soweto rivals. The Buccaneers have won the last three meetings across all competitions, including each of the last two in the league, most recently that 3-2 success for the Sea Robbers with Saleng bagging a double. That stopped a curious and somewhat surprising run of five consecutive wins for Chiefs in Soweto Derby league clashes with the Sea Robbers. These rivals lock horns again on 01 February at Orlando Stadium.

26-year-old Saleng has been the subject of intense media scrutiny after not playing a single competitive minute for Pirates since the turn of the year.

Will Orlando Pirates end their long league title drought in 2025?

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