CAPE TOWN – Orlando Pirates were crowned 2025/26 Betway Premiership champions after defeating Orbit College 2-0 at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
The victory saw the Buccaneers end a 14-year league title drought and finally dethrone long-time rivals Mamelodi Sundowns, who had dominated South African football for the past eight seasons.
𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐀𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀 🏆 🏆 🏆
We are the 2025/26 #BetwayPrem Champions
⚫⚪🔴⭐#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways#TrebleWinners#TrebleChampions pic.twitter.com/6NSAYenCHS
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) May 23, 2026
Pirates entered the decisive encounter knowing that only a win would secure the championship, and they delivered under pressure to finish the campaign on 69 points – one ahead of Sundowns.
The Soweto giants started the match brightly and looked dangerous from the opening whistle. Tshepang Moremi came close on several occasions in the first half but failed to convert clear scoring opportunities as Orbit College managed to hold on until shortly before halftime.
However, Pirates found the breakthrough in the 48th minute, in the stoppage time when Orbit College goalkeeper Sabelo Calvin Nkomo accidentally turned the ball into his own net under pressure heading to half time break Pirates leading 1-0.
The Buccaneers controlled the remainder of the match as celebrations erupted at the final whistle, confirming Pirates as league champions for the first time since 2012.
The defeat also confirmed Orbit College’s relegation from the top flight football.
𝐎𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐏𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓/𝟐𝟔 #𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 🏆⚫⚪ pic.twitter.com/6UpCmkTAne
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) May 23, 2026
Image: @orlandopirates/x.com
