Orlando Pirates Remain Confident of Title Despite Draw with Durban City
The Orlando Pirates captain, Nkosinathi Sibisi, reiterated the Buccaneers’ belief that they can still clinch the 2025/26 Premiership title after a goalless draw against Durban City at the Orlando Amstel Arena last Saturday. Sibisi, affectionately known as “Bhodlela” in local football circles, stressed that the team remains within its target and that there is no reason to doubt their chances of lifting the trophy for the first time since the 2011/12 season.
Captain’s Message: Stay Focused, Keep Working
Speaking to the club’s media department after the match, Sibisi said:
“We’re still here… we’re still within our goal. We shouldn’t doubt [that they will be champions]. There is no reason to doubt.”
He added that the squad never stopped preparing for the decisive fixture against Orbit College, noting that the performance against Durban showed the desired intent, even if the result fell short.
“The performance against Durban showed that we wanted to win, but unfortunately it wasn’t enough for us. We never stopped working on our game against Orbit, so there’s no reason not to believe it. We would have liked to end the season with three points at home, but it wasn’t meant to be… it wasn’t for lack of effort.”
Path to the Championship: What the Pirates Need
With the draw, Orlando Pirates sit on 68 points, two points clear of second‑placed Mamelodi Sundowns, according to the latest Premier Soccer League (PSL) standings (PSL log, 2025/26). A win against Orbit College in their final home game at Mbombela Stadium would guarantee the title regardless of other results.
Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine contributed to the clean‑sheet draw, recording his 20th league clean sheet of the season (PSL player stats). This defensive consistency has been a cornerstone of the Pirates’ campaign.
Orbit College’s Situation and Relegation Scenarios
Orbit College will travel to Mbombela without two key attackers who are currently on loan from the Buccaneers:
- Yanga Madiba – 13 league appearances, 1 assist (Transfermarkt)
- Thoseo Moleleki – 15 league appearances, 2 goals, 3 assists (Transfermarkt)
The loan agreements explicitly prohibit Madiba and Moleleki from playing against their parent club, Orlando Pirates, which further weakens Orbit’s attacking options.
Relegation for Orbit is mathematically possible if they lose to Pirates and Magesi Richards Bay defeats them by conceding at least four goals at home, while Marumo Gallants avoid a home defeat against Stellenbosch in the synchronized final‑day fixtures (KickOff.com analysis).
Final Day Fixtures (all scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday)
- Durban City vs AmaZulu – Chatsworth Stadium
- Arrows vs Galaxy – King Zwelithini Stadium
- Chiefs vs Chippa United – Moses Mabhida Stadium
- Magesi vs Richards Bay – Seshego Stadium
- Marumo Gallants vs Stellenbosch – Dr. Molemela Stadium
- Orbit College vs Orlando Pirates – Mbombela Stadium
Should the Pirates secure victory at Mbombela, they will be crowned 2025/26 Premiership champions, ending a fourteen‑year wait for top‑flight glory.
