Orlando Pirates

When you think of Orlando Pirates, South Africa’s most decorated football club with a passionate fanbase and a legacy stretching back to 1937. Also known as The Buccaneers, they’re not just a team—they’re a cultural force in South African sport. From their iconic gold and black kits to the roar of the Orlando Stadium, they’ve won more domestic titles than any other club in the country. Their rivalry with Kaizer Chiefs, their fiercest local rival and the other giant of South African football isn’t just about points—it’s about pride, history, and identity. Matches between them, known as the Soweto Derby, draw crowds that turn cities into stadiums and make national headlines.

Orlando Pirates don’t just play in the Premier Soccer League, the top tier of professional football in South Africa. They shape it. Their transfers, coaching changes, and youth academy picks ripple through the league. When they sign a new striker or promote a teenager from their academy, other clubs take notice. Their success also feeds into Bafana Bafana, the South African national team. Many of the country’s best players—like Sibusiso Zuma, Themba Zwane, and more recently, Lyle Foster—cut their teeth at Pirates before wearing the national jersey. Their performances in CAF competitions, like the Champions League and Confederations Cup, put African football on the map.

What you’ll find here isn’t just match results. It’s the stories behind the goals—the injured captain who returned to lead the team, the young player who scored his first pro goal against Kaizer Chiefs, the controversial VAR call that split fans across Johannesburg. You’ll see how Pirates’ wins and losses affect local businesses, schoolyard debates, and Sunday braais. Whether they’re fighting for the league title or just trying to stay out of the relegation zone, every game matters. And when they play in front of 50,000 fans, you can feel it even if you’re watching from Cape Town or Durban. This collection brings you every twist, turn, and triumph from the heart of South African football.