Orlando Pirates FC: Club Profile, Latest Results, Fixtures, Standings…

Orlando Pirates FC is a men’s professional football club that competes in South Africa’s top-flight Premiership. Pirates were founded in 1937 in Orlando East, Soweto, and are one of South Africa’s oldest and most decorated clubs. moryak.biz

Orlando Pirates FC became the first South African club to win the CAF Champions League, then known as the African Cup of Champions Clubs, in 1995. The team shares a fierce rivalry with fellow Soweto club Kaizer Chiefs FC.

Orlando Pirates are affectionately called the Buccaneers, while their supporters are known as the Happy People. Explore the club’s profile on SportPesa, including results, fixtures, standings, squad updates and transfer news.

View popular football matches and available odds on SportPesa.

Orlando Pirates club profile overview

Club detail	Information
Club name	Orlando Pirates Football Club
Founded	1937
Country	South Africa
City / area	Soweto, Johannesburg
Nicknames	The Buccaneers / Bucs
Supporters	The Happy People / The Ghost
League	South African Premiership
Home ground	Orlando Stadium / Orlando Amstel Arena
Club colours	Black and white
Main rivals	Kaizer Chiefs
Major rivalry	Soweto Derby
Head coach	Abdeslam Ouaddou

READ ALSO : CAF Champions League 2026/27

Brief Orlando Pirates history

Orlando Pirates were founded as Orlando Boys Club by a group of teenagers, encouraged by boxing instructor Andries “Pele Pele” Mkhwanazi. In 1944, the team won the Division Two title and gained promotion to Division One. Andrew Bassie proposed the name “Pirates” in the same year.

One of the club’s most memorable seasons came in 2010/11, when Pirates won the Premiership, Nedbank Cup, MTN8 and Telkom Knockout.

The club had already made African football history in 1995 by winning the African Cup of Champions Clubs, now known as the CAF Champions League. Pirates followed that achievement by winning the CAF Super Cup in 1996.

Follow SportPesa South Africa for the latest South African football coverage.

Orlando Pirates stadium

The Buccaneers play their home matches at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg.

The stadium is closely associated with the club’s history and hosts major domestic and continental fixtures. It is currently also known as Orlando Amstel Arena through a naming-rights partnership.

Supporters attending matches should check the latest fixture information for confirmed venues and kick-off times.

Who are Orlando Pirates’ greatest rivals?

Orlando Pirates’ primary rivals are Kaizer Chiefs.

Their meetings are known as the Soweto Derby and remain among the most widely followed fixtures in South African football.

The rivalry was shaped by the early history of the two clubs, including Kaizer Motaung’s time as an Orlando Pirates player before he founded Kaizer Chiefs.

Every derby brings major fan interest and another chapter in one of South African football’s most famous rivalries.

ALSO READ: CAF Champions League 2026/27: Sundowns & Orlando Pirates Preliminary-Round Route

Orlando Pirates leadership

Dr Irvin Khoza has long served as Orlando Pirates chairman and remains one of the leading figures associated with the club’s modern era.

His leadership has covered important periods of domestic and continental competition as Pirates have developed into one of South Africa’s major football institutions.

Orlando Pirates results

Browse the latest football results across competitions on SportPesa.

Orlando Pirates results change after every fixture, including league, domestic cup and CAF competitions. The results page provides the latest match scores and completed fixtures throughout the season.

Orlando Pirates fixtures

View Orlando Pirates fixtures across competitions on the SP Score App.

Follow the latest:

• Orlando Pirates match schedule
• Opponents
• Competition
• Venue
• Kick-off time
• Live match status

Fixture dates, venues and kick-off times can change because of broadcasting, cup scheduling or competition arrangements, so check the latest schedule when following an upcoming match.

View the latest football markets and odds on SportPesa.

Orlando Pirates table and standings

Download the SP Score App to follow the latest Orlando Pirates standings, points, wins, draws, losses and league position.

League tables change after every round of matches, making SportPesa Score the best place to follow the club’s current position during the season.

For related South African football coverage, read the latest Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu stories on SportPesa.

Orlando Pirates squad

The Orlando Pirates squad combines experienced players and emerging talent competing across domestic and continental football.

Player registrations, injuries, loans and matchday selections can change during a season.

Follow SportPesa Score for matchday line-ups and use official club announcements for the latest Orlando Pirates squad information.

Orlando Pirates stats

Orlando Pirates statistics include appearances, goals, assists, yellow cards, red cards, clean sheets and other team and player data.

These numbers change throughout the season as matches are played.

Follow SportPesa’s current football coverage and SportPesa Score for the latest Orlando Pirates match and player statistics.

Orlando Pirates coaches and managers

Orlando Pirates have been led by several prominent coaches and managers throughout the club’s history.

Abdeslam Ouaddou is the current Orlando Pirates head coach. The coaching team is responsible for player preparation, tactical planning and matchday decisions across domestic and continental competitions.

Ouaddou led Pirates to a highly successful 2025/26 campaign and was named Premiership Coach of the Season.

Orlando Pirates latest transfers

Orlando Pirates transfer activity can include permanent signings, loans, free transfers and player departures.

Player arrivals

New arrivals can strengthen the squad in key positions or add depth as Pirates compete across domestic and CAF competitions.

Completed signings should be confirmed through official club announcements before being treated as final.

Player departures

Departures can take place through permanent transfers, loans, releases or the expiry of a player’s contract.

Transfer destinations and terms can sometimes change during a transfer window, so confirmed club announcements remain the most reliable source.

Also Read: South Africa Transfer Deadline Day 2026: PSL Deals and Clubs to Watch

Orlando Pirates latest news and updates

Orlando Pirates news covers team selection, injuries, transfers, domestic football, CAF Champions League preparation and post-match reaction.

With Pirates competing across several competitions, player availability and match schedules can change throughout the season.

Follow the latest Orlando Pirates and South African football updates on SportPesa.

Orlando Pirates honours and achievements

Orlando Pirates are among South Africa’s most successful football clubs.

Their achievements include major domestic titles as well as historic continental success.

Competition / achievement	Record
African Cup of Champions Clubs / CAF Champions League	Champions in 1995
CAF Super Cup	Winners in 1996
South African league	Multiple championship-winning seasons
Nedbank Cup / national cup	Multiple titles
MTN8	Multiple titles
Domestic cup competitions	Multiple major honours

The 1995 African Cup of Champions Clubs triumph remains one of the defining achievements in Orlando Pirates history. It made the Buccaneers the first South African club to win Africa’s leading club competition.

Pirates followed the continental title by lifting the CAF Super Cup in 1996.

The club has also enjoyed sustained domestic success, including another championship-winning campaign in 2025/26.

FAQs about Orlando Pirates FC

What is special about Orlando Pirates?

Orlando Pirates are one of South Africa’s oldest and most successful football clubs.

Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs is one of Africa’s best-known football rivalries, while the Buccaneers’ 1995 African Cup of Champions Clubs triumph remains a historic achievement in South African football.

Are Orlando Pirates playing in the CAF Champions League?

Orlando Pirates are competing in the 2026/27 CAF Champions League.

Progress in the competition depends on results through the qualifying rounds and later stages. Follow current fixtures and results for the latest information on the Buccaneers’ CAF campaign.

What is another name for Orlando Pirates?

Orlando Pirates are also referred to as the Buccaneers or Bucs.

Their supporters are commonly known as the Happy People.

Who is the Orlando Pirates coach?

Abdeslam Ouaddou is the Orlando Pirates head coach.

He was named Premiership Coach of the Season after leading the Buccaneers through their successful 2025/26 campaign.

Who is the best Orlando Pirates player?

The answer depends on current form, position and individual opinion.

Orlando Pirates have had many influential players across different eras, including club legends such as Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi, while the current squad features several players competing for key roles.

READ ALSO: CAF Champions League 2026/27

Conclusion

Orlando Pirates FC are a historic club that have experienced many important periods in South African football.

True to their motto, “Ezimnyama Ngenkani,” the Buccaneers remain a major force in domestic football and continue to compete on the continental stage.

Follow Orlando Pirates on SportPesa for the latest results, fixtures, standings, squad news and match updates.

Log in or join SportPesa to view available football markets. Sports betting is for adults aged 18 and above. Bet responsibly.

C’est désormais officiel : Duje Caleta-Car n’est plus un joueur de l’Olympique Lyonnais. Le défenseur croate de 29 ans a trouvé un accord avec le club rhodanien pour mettre fin prématurément à son contrat, qui courait encore jusqu’en juin 2027. Libre de tout engagement, il s’est dans la foulée engagé avec Sassuolo, où il va poursuivre sa carrière en Serie A.

Arrivé à Lyon en 2023 sous la forme d’un prêt en provenance de Southampton avant d’être définitivement recruté un an plus tard, Caleta-Car aura disputé 57 rencontres toutes compétitions confondues avec l’OL, pour un but et une passe décisive. Son passage dans le Rhône aura notamment été marqué par une finale de Coupe de France en 2024 et le retour du club sur la scène européenne. Prêté à la Real Sociedad la saison dernière, le Croate y a retrouvé du temps de jeu avec 27 apparitions, mais son retour à Lyon n’aura pas permis de relancer son aventure.

Une dernière année de contrat abandonnée

Pas dans les plans de Paulo Fonseca depuis le début de l’exercice 2026-2027, le défenseur a donc choisi de tourner la page. Cette résiliation à l’amiable permet également à l’OL de se délester d’un salaire conséquent, estimé à environ 250 000 euros mensuels. De son côté, Caleta-Car peut désormais relever un nouveau défi en Italie, avec Sassuolo, qui a officialisé son arrivée en tant que joueur libre.

International croate à 38 reprises pour un but, Caleta-Car va découvrir un nouvel environnement en Serie A et retrouver un visage bien connu dans le vestiaire des Neroverdi : Nemanja Matic, son ancien coéquipier. Après trois saisons entre Lyon, la Real Sociedad et désormais l’Italie, le défenseur de 29 ans ouvre ainsi un nouveau chapitre de sa carrière, avec l’ambition de retrouver une place importante sur le terrain.

The post Duje Caleta-Car quitte l’OL et rejoint Sassuolo appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

Pitso Mosimane is officially back at the helm of Bafana Bafana after being unveiled as the national team’s new head coach.

Mosimane returns for his second stint in charge of the national team and he will now succeed Belgian coach Hugo Broos.

SAFA announces the new Bafana Bafana Head Coach, Pitso Mosimane and his technical team 🇿🇦💚💛#BafanaPride #BafanaBafana pic.twitter.com/APBw79vOxZ

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) September 1, 2026

SAFA made the announcement of Mosimane’s appointment in a press conference held at the SAFA’s headquarters in Nasrec.

Mosimane was previously at the held of South Africa between 2010 and 2012 after the departure of Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

“SAFA announces the new Bafana Bafana Head Coach, Pitso Mosimane and his technical team,” SAFA announced.

“Coach Pitso Mosimane arrives at SAFA House ahead of the confirmation as the new Bafana Bafana coach. He takes over from the former Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.”

Coach Pitso Mosimane arrives at SAFA House ahead of the confirmation as the new Bafana Bafana coach. He takes over from the former Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos.#BafanaPride #BafanaBafana pic.twitter.com/a9u1PVgcaC

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) September 1, 2026

The post Pitso Mosimane Confirmed as New Bafana Coach appeared first on SportsClub.

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has challenged emerging youngsters to build on their promising starts after Mpho Padime and Simphiwe Masilela impressed when given their opportunity.

The Buccaneers will look to secure their third consecutive victory in the Betway Premiership when they take on Kruger United at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Pirates head into this fixture sitting in top spot in the league, level on 10 points with second placed Mamelodi Sundowns.

Abdeslam Ouaddou has challenged Orlando Pirates’ emerging youngsters to build on their promising starts after Mpho Padime and Masilela impressed when given their opportunity.

Ouaddou believes the club will continue to create pathways for young talent, but stressed that the players must remain humble, dedicated and professional if they are to establish themselves at the highest level.

“Not only him (Mpho Padime}, I think we can include Masilela in the talk. Well, done to both of them. I think Pirates is a club that is giving chances to the young. It’s not the first time, and we continue the process. They did very well, we saw they have great potential,” said Ouaddou.

“Now, they must keep on working, they must keep on being humble, listening to be coachable. It’s only the first game. A career is a minimum of 10 years. When I have an opportunity to give them game time, definitely I will give them.

“But they must still work and be very professional because in football you can go high quickly, but you can fall quickly as well.

“Well done, keep working. Be careful about your life. You have to be professional. Think football, you train, you go home, you rest. You eat good, you drink water and not something else. Don’t smoke, don’t take things that can destroy your body,” he concluded.

The post Ouaddou Challenges Padime & Masilela to Build on Promising Starts appeared first on SportsClub.

Victor Matfield says Bok lock Eben Etzebeth showed against the All Blacks at Cape Town Stadium why he is South Africa’s GOAT.

The world champions levelled the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series with a 33-26 win last Saturday, with their lineout proving a big weapon.

Three attacking throw-ins by the All Blacks were spoiled by Etzebeth, who made one steal. The Boks’ first two tries came from powerful lineout mauls, with Etzebeth winning five lineouts on their own throw in the match.

“At lineout time he was outstanding,” Matfield said on the Rugby Rivals podcast.

“He was also under pressure in South Africa – ‘he hasn’t played a lot, he’s not in great form’ – but he stood out.

“At lineout time he was fantastic. His work rate was just unbelievable, and that’s the Eben we know.

“For me, it was important that our most experienced player, in a week like this where there was a lot of pressure, stood up,” the former Bok lock added.

“He just showed why he’s probably the best Springbok of all time.”

ALSO: Rassie hails new maul application

Matfield, regarded as one of the greatest lineout exponents of all time, also explained how the Boks put pressure on the All Blacks’ throw.

“When you go into playing the Springboks, in the last few years you know they cover up the middle and the back of the lineout.

“We knew in our era, when you play the All Blacks and they get to the 22, just inside the 22, attacking, they almost try and force that ball.

“So the Springboks went for it. I think there’s only one ball and they haven’t thrown it once – it’s in between the two pods, the throw-jump where the hooker throws first and the guy goes straight up.

“All of their stuff was dummies and that gave Eben and Ruan [Nortjé] chances to move. Ruan just covered the back, Eben played around – is he kind of in the middle or a little bit at the back? – and that caught them.

CRYING KIRWAN: Boks bore me to tears

“If you want that back ball, you need to walk in and you need to hit it immediately. Otherwise, that front ball is on the whole day and [you can] work something out from that front ball. The one try came off the front ball.

“These days the scrumhalf’s pass is so good. If you get good ball in the front, good delivery to nine and he throws it 15, 20m, then you’re in the game.”

WATCH: Brown spills Bok secret to Rennie

Photo: Roger Sedres/Gallo Images

The post Big Vic: Eben stood up for Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.