What really happened to Orlando Pirates?

Stories of falls from grace are never easy to take, especially when they involve giants in the football industry that dominated the game and had tremendous impact on the state of the game continentally. South African giants Orlando Pirates own such a story after a slow start to the season. There are all the signs that for yet another campaign, Orlando Pirates will not be in a position to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the DSTV Premiership title.

They were never the favorites at the start of the 2023/24 season, priced behind Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs. Despite their popularity and fan base, Pirates started the season with odds of 9.50 to win the league title. With just two wins in their opening seven matches and being 15 points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, such a rating isn’t really farfetched.

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Trophy cabinet

Orlando Pirates did add to their trophy cabinet earlier in the season, beating Mamelodi Sundowns in post match penalties to win the MTN8 Cup. Their 21^st trophy would however do little to convince fans they have their season in control, especially given Sundowns had rested key players.

While winning the PSL title would be welcome, Pirates’ profile would demand that they are regular participants and competitors in the continental scene. That is why their early exit from the CAF Champions League at the hands of Botswana side Galaxy was never taken well by their fans. They have just one CAF Champions League title, won in 1995 and they’ve never been that close ever again.

Twice in the last five seasons, they’ve managed to finish second in the PSL, but rarely as challengers to Mamelodi Sundowns. Fans are already calling for the sacking of head coach Jose Rivero, on the back of three straight league matches without a win.

Struggling against smaller teams

Their victories in the cup games came via post match penalties, and the Buccaneers are developing a knack for struggling against perceived smaller teams. The recent 1-1 draw with Polokwane City was a case in point and the fact that they scored first before allowing the Rise and Shine to level, left a lot of hurt to the fans, who took to Social Media to castigate the coach and a section of his players.

A game against Cape Town Spurs coming up next is a chance for Pirates to redeem themselves, but it will not be an easy one especially as Spurs are bottom of the standings and want to start hitting the right chords as soon as possible. It is not any easier for Pirates either, as they battle off field issues.

One of their star players, Thembinkosi Lorch is a convicted gender-based violence offender, found guilty after assaulting his former girlfriend and a number of organizations are calling on the club to stop fielding him. How Pirates will lift themselves from this quagmire remains to be seen.

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