Orlando Pirates’ Last League Triumph — A Legacy of Glory and the Hunt for No. 10
A moment to remember: Pirates crowned 2011/12 league champions.
As Orlando Pirates sit firmly in the title conversation this season, fans across South Africa have one massive question on their minds: When did they last win South Africa’s top‑flight league? And could the 2025/26 Betway Premiership be the campaign that finally ends their long wait for another Premiership crown?
The Last League Title — Back in 2011/12
The last time Orlando Pirates lifted the South African Premiership title was in the 2011/12 season, when they clinched the championship with a memorable campaign that etched itself into club lore. That triumph marked the Buccaneers’ ninth league title — and their most recent.
Since then, despite strong performances, cup wins, and several close league runs, domestic league glory has remained out of reach. It’s now been 13 years since Pirates last won the Premiership, a drought that has become part of the club’s modern narrative.
A Storied Legacy with a League Hangover
Pirates remain one of South Africa’s most supported and competitive clubs. Over the past decade, they’ve amassed several MTN 8 titles, carried silverware success in domestic cups, and often challenged near the top of the league.
In recent campaigns, including 2024/25, Pirates finished strongly — ending second in the Premiership and showing consistency at the top end of the table. But the league title itself, the elusive 10th in club history, has stayed beyond grasp.
This Season’s Title Chase — Real Momentum in 2025/26
This season, Pirates are not just in the hunt — they’ve been leading it. They’ve shown real momentum in the 2025/26 Betway Premiership:
A strong unbeaten run put them on top of the log late in 2025, three points clear of Mamelodi Sundowns at one stage.
As of early February 2026, Pirates have continued to perform well, including notable recent wins such as a 2‑0 victory over AmaZulu to reclaim top spot.
That kind of form — staying unbeaten over long stretches and regularly picking up points — fuels belief that this could be the year they break the drought and add a historic league title to the club’s rich honour roll.
Beyond the League — Trophy Success Across Competitions
Even while the Premiership title has eluded them, Pirates have collected significant silverware this season:
MTN 8 champions again in 2025, defending their title in style.
Carling Knockout Cup winners in late 2025.
These successes speak to a squad that can compete across multiple fronts — and provide confidence that the league challenge is not a fluke but a culmination of growth.
Why This Season Feels Different
Across the Premiership, the title race in 2025/26 has been tighter and more compelling than in previous years:
Pirates have demonstrated consistency, especially against mid‑table opponents, a key factor in long title races.
The squad blends youth and experience, giving manager Abdeslam Ouaddou tactical options even when injuries or rotation pressures hit.
There’s a growing belief among supporters and pundits that 2026 could be the year the “league ghost” — the decades‑long wait — finally falls.
What a New League Title Would Mean
A Premiership triumph in 2025/26 wouldn’t just be another trophy — it would:
End a 13‑year wait for league glory.
Elevate Pirates back into the elite echelons of South African football history.
Quiet decades of “almost there” narratives and reignite belief among supporters across generations.
It would be the moment that defines this season for the club and its fans.
