Orlando Pirates ended a 14-year wait for the South African league title after defeating Orbit College FC 2-0 on the final day of the season to win the 2025/26 Betway Premiership.
The victory at Mbombela Stadium secured the Buccaneers’ first league crown since 2011 and completed a domestic treble in what became a dream debut season for coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Pirates finished the campaign on 69 points, two ahead of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, after one of the closest title races in recent South African football history.
For Ouaddou, the achievement also represented a major moment for Francophone African coaching on the continent. The Moroccan tactician guided the Soweto giants through a pressure-filled final day, delivering the club’s third domestic treble of the PSL era.
Pirates entered the decisive fixture knowing only a victory would guarantee the title, and they immediately took control of possession against an Orbit College side fighting to avoid relegation.
Despite dominating the opening exchanges, the Buccaneers struggled to convert their chances in the first half.
Midfielder Thalente Mbatha tested goalkeeper Sabelo Nkomo from distance, while Relebohile Mofokeng came close after his effort narrowly missed the target.
Orbit College defended resiliently for long periods and even threatened briefly through striker Lethabo Modimoeng, whose close-range effort drifted wide late in the first half.
However, the breakthrough eventually arrived just before half-time under intense pressure from Pirates.
A corner caused confusion inside the Orbit penalty area and goalkeeper Nkomo accidentally punched the ball into his own net while attempting to clear.
The own goal changed the momentum completely and Pirates returned from the break with greater intensity.
Only moments into the second half, defender Ndumiso Ngiba turned the ball into his own goal while attempting to deal with pressure from Pirates forward Yanela Mbuthuma.
The second own goal effectively settled the contest and sparked celebrations among Pirates supporters, who sensed the title was finally returning to Soweto after years of frustration.
Pirates continued pushing for additional goals, with Tshepang Moremi and Kamogelo Sebelebele both going close as the team maintained control of the match.
When the final whistle sounded, it confirmed one of the most significant moments in the club’s recent history.
The title-winning campaign also saw Pirates register a club-record 21 league victories in a 30-match season, underlining their consistency throughout the year.
While Pirates celebrated, Orbit College’s defeat confirmed automatic relegation after only one season in South Africa’s top division.
The final standings also reflected the narrow margins of the title race, with Sundowns missing out by only two points after pushing Pirates throughout the campaign.
For African football observers, Ouaddou’s success has added another important chapter to the growing influence of Francophone coaches and players across the continent’s major leagues.
The former Moroccan international has now guided one of Africa’s biggest clubs back to the summit of South African football in his very first season in charge.
