2024–25 Orlando Pirates F.C. season

Orlando Pirates
2024–25 season
Chairman	Irvin Khoza
Manager	José Riveiro
Stadium	Orlando Stadium
South African Premiership	2nd
MTN 8	Champions
Nedbank Cup	Finals
Carling Knockout Cup	Round of 16
Champions League	Semi-finals
Top goalscorer	League: Tshegofatso Mabasa; Evidence Makgopa; (4 goals each); All: Tshegofatso Mabasa (12 goals)
	Home colours
	Home colours

This current 2024–25 season of the league is Orlando Pirate's 29th consecutive season in the Premiership.

Orlando Pirates have been the champions of the MTN 8 and Nedbank Cup from the year 2022. The team finished 2nd in the previous season and qualified for the 2024–25 CAF Champions League.^[1] They won the 2024 MTN 8 winning it for the third consecutive season, the first team to do so.^[2]^[3]

Season summary

The team had a pre-season camp in Spain whereby the played a couple of friendly matches including a game against Sevilla FC.^[4]^[5]^[6]

They progressed through to the group stages of the Champions League after winning it fixtures in the qualifying rounds.^[7] They have made it to the 3rd MTN 8 Finals in 3 consecutive years.^[8]

Squad

Squad no.	Player	Position(s)	Date of birth (age)
Goalkeepers
24	Sipho Chaine	GK	(1996-12-14) 14 December 1996
35	Melusi Buthelezi		(1998-03-07) 7 March 1998
40	Siyabonga Dladla		—
Defenders
2	Thabiso Monyane	RB	(2000-04-30) 30 April 2000
3	Deano Van Rooyen	LB	(1996-11-04) 4 November 1996
5	Nkosinathi Sibisi	CB	(1995-09-22) 22 September 1995
6	Olisa Ndah	CB	(1998-01-21) 21 January 1998
23	Innocent Maela (C)	CB	(1992-08-14) 14 August 1992
26	Bandile Shandu	LB	(1995-01-19) 19 January 1995
27	Tapelo Xoki (VC)	CB	(1995-04-10) 10 April 1995
29	Paseka Mako	CB/RB	(1994-04-01) 1 April 1994
36	Thabiso Sesane	CB	30 May 2000 ( age 24)
39	Sandile Mthethwa	CB	(1997-04-14) 14 April 1997
Midfielders
4	Miguel Timm	CM	(1992-01-31) 31 January 1992
7	Deon Hotto	CM/LB/LW	(1990-10-29) 29 October 1990
8	Makhehlene Makhaula	DM	(1989-11-17) 17 November 1989
12	Katlego Otladisa	AM	(1996-09-22) 22 September 1996
15	Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo	CM	(1995-05-28) 28 May 1995
16	Thalente Mbatha	DM	(2000-03-06) 6 March 2000
18	Kabelo Dlamini	AM/WF	(1996-05-16) 16 May 1996
20	Goodman Mosele ★	CM	(1999-11-18) 18 November 1999
21	Lesedi Kapinga	CM	(1995-05-25) 25 May 1995
25	Karim Kimvuidi	AM	(2002-03-13) 13 March 2002
28	Patrick Maswanganyi	AM	(1998-04-04) 4 April 1998
30	Siphelo Baloni	CM	22 October 1999 (age 25)
31	Selaelo Rasebotja		(2001-04-26) 26 April 2001
32	Thuso Moleleki		16 March 2000 (age 24)
37	Thabiso Lebitso	CM/CB	(1992-03-04) 4 March 1992
Forwards
9	Zakhele Lepasa	CF	(1997-01-03) 3 January 1997
11	Gilberto	WF	(2001-03-10) 10 March 2001
14	Monnapule Saleng	WF	(1999-03-13) 13 March 1999
17	Evidence Makgopa	CF	(2000-06-05) 5 June 2000
19	Tshegofatso Mabasa	CF	(1996-10-01) 1 October 1996
33	Mohau Nkota	CF	(2004-11-09) 9 November 2004
38	Relebohile Mofokeng	WF/CM/AM	(2004-10-23) 23 October 2004
42	Boitumelo Radiopane	CF	(2002-10-11) 11 October 2002

★	Loan Out

Transfers

Competitions

Overall Record

Competition	First match	Last match	Starting round	Final position	Record
Competition	First match	Last match	Starting round	Final position	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Win %
Betway Premiership	18 September 2024	24 May 2025	Matchday 1	TBD	27	19	3	5	42	19	+23	070.37
Nedbank Cup	26 January 2025	10 May 2025	Round of 32	TBD	4	3	1	0	9	4	+5	075.00
Carling Knockout Cup	19 October 2024	19 October 2024	Round of 16	Round of 16	1	0	0	1	2	3	−1	000.00
MTN 8	3 August 2024	5 October 2024	Quarter Finals	Winners	4	3	1	0	9	3	+6	075.00
Champions League	18 August 2024	25 April 2025	Preliminary Round 1	Semi-finals	14	8	5	1	20	7	+13	057.14
Total					50	33	10	7	82	36	+46	066.00

Last updated: 25 April 2025
Source: Competitions

Friendlies

12 July 2024	Plymouth Argyle	2–2	Orlando Pirates	Marbella
18:00	Issaka 41' Wright 63'		Makgopa 40' Ndah 43'	Stadium: Banús Football Center

15 July 2024	Sevilla	0–2	Orlando Pirates	Seville
20:00			Timm 22' Dlamini 82'	Stadium: Rámon Cisneros Palacios

17 July 2024	Orlando Pirates	1–1	Granada	Marbella
18:00	Gilberto 20'		Weissman 22'	Stadium: Banús Football Center

19 July 2024	Al Sadd	3–2	Orlando Pirates	Marbella
17:30	Ali 3' Sesane 40'(O.G.) Plata 54'		Mabasa 9' , 10'	Stadium: Banús Football Center

Betway Premiership

League Position

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Mamelodi Sundowns (C)	28	24	1	3	65	13	+52	73	Qualification for 2025–26 CAF Champions League
2	Orlando Pirates	28	19	4	5	43	20	+23	61	Qualification for 2025–26 CAF Champions League
3	Stellenbosch	28	13	9	6	34	21	+13	48	Qualification for 2025–26 CAF Confederation Cup
4	Sekhukhune United	28	13	7	8	39	31	+8	46
5	TS Galaxy	28	8	11	9	30	30	0	35

Source: Premier Soccer League
(C) Champions

Results Summary


Overall								Home						Away
Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
19	14	1	4	31	14	+17	43	9	0	1	23	6	+17	5	1	3	8	8	0

Results by Round

matchday	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
ground	H	H	A	H	A	H	A	H	H	A	H
Results	W	W	W
Position	2	3	2
Points	3	6	9

Source: psl
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

18 September 2024 Matchday 1	Orlando Pirates	2–1	Chippa United	Johannesburg
19:30 SAST	T.Mabasa 45+5' (pen.) M.Saleng 90+1'	Report	A.Jali 22'	Stadium: Orlando Stadium

24 September 2024 Matchday 2	Orlando Pirates	3–0	Polokwane City	Johannesburg
15:00 SAST	M.Saleng 55' Makgopa 85', 90+1'	Report		Stadium: Orlando Stadium

29 September 2024 Matchday 3	Richards Bay	0–1	Orlando Pirates	Umlazi
15:00 SAST		Report	K.Dlamini 82'	Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

22 October 2024 Matchday 11	Orlando Pirates	2–0	SuperSport United	Johannesburg
19:30 SAST	Makgopa 2' Hotto 90+2'	Report		Stadium: Orlando Stadium

25 October 2024 Matchday 4	Orlando Pirates	2–1	AmaZulu	Johannesburg
19:30 SAST	Nkota 31', 37'	Report	Ekstein 90+3'	Stadium: Orlando Stadium

29 October 2024 Matchday 5	TS Galaxy	0–2	Orlando Pirates	Mbombela
19:30 SAST		Report	Mbatha 16' Mofokeng 72'	Stadium: Mbombela Stadium

5 November 2024 Matchday 17	Orlando Pirates	1–0	Richards Bay	Johannesburg
	Makgopa 26'			Stadium: Orlando Stadium

1 December 2024 Matchday 6	Orlando Pirates	0–1	Stellenbosch	Johannesburg
15:30 SAST		Report	Titus 33'	Stadium: Orlando Pirates

24 December 2025 Matchday 20	Orlando Pirates	8–1	Marumo Gallants	Johannesburg
	Nthatheni 39'(O.G.) Mabasa 47' , 53' , 64' Van Rooyen 59' Mbatha 70' , 82' Radiopane 90' (pen.)		Mhango 23'	Stadium: Orlando Stadium

29 December 2024 Matchday 10	Magesi	0–1	Orlando Pirates	Johannesburg
15:30 SAST		Report	Mofokeng 45'	Stadium: Orlando Stadium

8 January 2025 Matchday 12	Cape Town City	1–0	Orlando Pirates	Cape Town
	Darwin González 74'			Stadium: Cape Town Stadium

1 February 2025 Matchday 15	Orlando Pirates	1–0	Kaizer Chiefs	Johannesburg
13:00 CEST	Maswanganyi 90+6' (pen.)			Stadium: FNB Stadium

5 February 2025 Matchday 16	Sekhukhune United	1–2	Orlando Pirates	Polokwane
	Mntambo 77'		Hotto 5' Makhaula 47'	Stadium: Peter Mokaba Stadium

8 February 2025 Matchday 13	Mamelodi Sundowns	4–1	Orlando Pirates	Pretoria
	Kekana 13' Ribeiro 27' , 59' Mokoena 78'	Report	Hotto 57'	Stadium: Loftus Versfeld

22 February 2025 Matchday 19	Orlando Pirates	2–1	Cape Town City	Johannesburg
15:30 SAST	Mabasa 67' Mosele 87'	Report	Domingo 21'	Stadium: Orlando Stadium Referee: Luxolo Badi

1 March 2025 Matchday 8	Marumo Gallants	2–0	Orlando Pirates	Bloemfontein
17:45 SAST	Mhango 15' Mbatha 74' (O.G.)	Report		Stadium: Free State Stadium Referee: Tom Abongile

5 March 2025 Matchday 21	Chippa United	0–1	Orlando Pirates	Gqeberha
19:30 SAST		Report	Sibisi 45+3'	Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Referee: Gasa Sikhumbuzo

MTN 8

3 August 2024 Quarter Finals	Orlando Pirates	3–1 (a.e.t.)	SuperSport United	Johannesburg
18:00 SAST	O.Ndah 44' M.Saleng 92' E.Makgopa 107'	Report	V.Pule 49'	Stadium: Orlando Stadium

28 August 2024 Semi-Finals 1st Leg	Cape Town City	1–1 (1–1 agg.)	Orlando Pirates	Cape Town
18:00 SAST	J.Rhodes 61'	Report	R.Mofokeng 15'	Stadium: Cape Town Stadium

28 August 2024 Semi-Finals 1st Leg	Orlando Pirates	2–0 (3–1 agg.)	Cape Town City	Johannesburg
15:00 SAST	T.Mabasa 25' D.Hotto 43'	Report		Stadium: Orlando Stadium

5 October 2024 Final	Orlando Pirates	3–1	Stellenbosch	Durban
18:00 SAST	M.Saleng 43' T.Mabasa 90+1' R.Mofokeng 90+6'	Report	L.Mojela 12'	Stadium: Moses Mabhida Stadium Man of the Match: T.Sesane

Carling Knockout

19 October 2024 Round of 16	Orlando Pirates	2–3	Magesi	Soweto
15:00 SAST	Dlamini 86' Makgopa 89'	Report	Abrahams 33' Sasane 39'(O.G.) Chirambadare 45+4'	Stadium: Orlando Stadium

Nedbank Cup

26 January 2025 Round of 32	Richards Bay	1–3	Orlando Pirates	Umlazi
15:00 SAST	Mbuthuma 47'		Maswanganyi 22' 26' Mabasa 90+3'	Stadium: King Zwelithini Stadium

15 February 2025 Round of 16	Orlando Pirates	3–1	Baroka	Johannesburg
15:00 SAST	Mabasa 29' , 45+1' , 63'		Malivha 75'	Stadium: Orlando Stadium

8 March 2025 Quarterfinals	SuperSport United	2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–5 p)	Orlando Pirates	Polokwane
15:00 SAST				Stadium: Old Peter Mokaba Stadium

13 April 2025 Semi-finals	Orlando Pirates	1–0	Marumo Gallants	Soweto
15:00 SAST	Dlamini 22'			Stadium: Orlando Stadium

10 May 2025 Finals	Kaizer Chiefs	v	Orlando Pirates	Durban
				Stadium: Moses Mabhida Stadium

CAF Champions League

Preliminary Rounds

18 August 2024 Preliminary Round 1 1st Leg	CNaPS Sport	0–0 (0–0 agg.)	Orlando Pirates	Miarinarivo
		Report		Stadium: National Sports Complex Pitch 1

23 August 2024 Preliminary Round 1 2nd Leg	Orlando Pirates	4–0 (4–0 agg.)	CNaPS Sport	Johannesburg
	T.Monyane 9' R.Mofokeng 25' P.Maswanganyi 28' K.Kimvuidi 90'	Report		Stadium: Orlando Stadium

14 September 2024 Preliminary Round 2 1st Leg	Jwaneng Galaxy	0–2 (0–2 agg.)	Orlando Pirates	Gaborone
		Report	T.Mabasa 45+3' Hotto 77'	Stadium: Botswana National Stadium

21 September 2024 Preliminary Round 2 2nd Leg	Orlando Pirates	1–0 (3–0 agg.)	Jwaneng Galaxy	Johannesburg
16:00 SAST	M.Saleng 90+2'	Report		Stadium: Orlando Stadium

Group Stage

The group stage draw was held on 7 October 2024.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification	OPFC	AHL	CRB	SAB
1	Orlando Pirates	6	4	2	0	10	4	+6	14	Advance to knockout stage	—	0–0	2–1	3–0
2	Al Ahly	6	3	1	2	14	7	+7	10	Advance to knockout stage	1–2	—	6–1	4–2
3	CR Belouizdad	6	3	0	3	11	10	+1	9		1–2	1–0	—	6–0
4	Stade d'Abidjan	6	0	1	5	4	18	−14	1		1–1	1–3	0–1	—

Source: CAF
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers

26 November 2024 Matchday 1	CR Belouizdad	1–2	Orlando Pirates	Algiers
19:00	Mayo 66'		Nkota 5' 27'	Stadium: August 20 1955 Stadium

7 December 2024 Matchday 2	Orlando Pirates	0–0	Al Ahly SC	Johannesburg
				Stadium: Orlando Stadium

14 December 2024 Matchday 3	Stade d'Abidjan	1–1	Orlando Pirates	Abidjan
	Meite 53'		Makgopa 45+3'	Stadium: Stade Robert Champroux

4 January 2025 Matchday 4	Orlando Pirates	3–0	Stade d'Abidjan	Johannesburg
	Mofokeng 22' Maswanganyi 50' Hotto 85'			Stadium: Orlando Stadium

12 January 2025 Matchday 5	Orlando Pirates	2–1	CR Belouizdad	Johannesburg
	Mofokeng 20' Mbatha 61'		Benguit 90+2'	Stadium: Orlando Stadium

18 January 2025 Matchday 6	Al Ahly SC	1–2	Orlando Pirates	Cairo
	El Shahat 69'		Mofokeng 53' Mabasa 83'	Stadium: Cairo International Stadium

Knockout Stage

Quarter-finals

1 April 2025 1st leg	MC Alger	0–1	Orlando Pirates	Algiers
18:00 UTC+01:00		Report	Nkota 65'	Stadium: Stade du 5 Juillet Attendance: 60,000 Referee: Mahmood Ismail (Sudan)

8 April 2025 (2025-04-08) 2nd leg	Orlando Pirates	0–0 (1–0 agg.)	MC Alger	Johannesburg
18:00 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Orlando Stadium Attendance: 35,000 Referee: Ibrahim Kalilou Traoré (Ivory Coast)

Semi-finals

19 April 2025 (2025-04-19) First leg	Orlando Pirates	0–0	Pyramids	Johannesburg
18:00 UTC+2		Report		Stadium: Orlando Stadium Referee: Pacifique Ndabihawenimana (Burundi)

25 April 2025 (2025-04-25) Second leg	Pyramids	3–2 (3–2 agg.)	Orlando Pirates	Cairo
21:00 UTC+3	Mayele 45+1', 84' Sobhi 57'	Report	Mofokeng 41' Nkota 52'	Stadium: 30 June Stadium Referee: Tanguy Mebiame (Gabon)

Statistics

Goal Scorers

Rank	Name	Competition					Total
Rank	Name	Betway Premiership	MTN 8	CAF Champions League	Carling Knockout	Nedbank Cup	Total
1	Tshegofatso Mabasa	5	2	2	0	4	13
2	Relebohile Mofokeng	2	2	4	0	0	8
3	Evidence Makgopa	4	1	1	1	0	7
4	Deon Hotto	3	1	2	0	0	6
5	Monnapule Saleng	2	2	1	0	0	5

Assists

Rank	Name	Competition					Total
Rank	Name	Betway Premiership	MTN 8	CAF Champions League	Carling Knockout	Nedbank Cup	Total
1	Relebohile Mofokeng	1	2	0	0	0	3
2	Deon Hotto	1	0	0	0	1	2
2	Kabelo Dlamini	0	1	0	1	0	2
3	Thabiso Sesane	0	1	0	0	0	1
	Monnapule Saleng	0	1	0	0	0
	Tshegofatso Mabasa	0	1	0	0	0

References

^ "Orlando Pirates' 2022–23 Review: End of Season Report Card for the Soweto giants | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 2023-05-31. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
^ "Pirates fight back to win third consecutive MTN title". www.psl.co.za. 2017-08-23. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
^ "Orlando Pirates make history after winning third consecutive MTN8 title | soccer". SABC. 2024-10-05. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
^ "Orlando Pirates Confirms Pre-season Schedule – Orlando Pirates FC". www.orlandopiratesfc.com. 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
^ "Orlando Pirates head back to Spain for pre-season as La Liga giants confirm meeting with Jose Riveiro's side | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
^ Sofascore. "Sevilla vs Orlando Pirates live score, H2H and lineups | Sofascore". www.sofascore.com. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
^ "Top African Clubs Qualify for TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group Stage". Top African Clubs Qualify for TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group Stage. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
^ "Defending champions Orlando Pirates off to third successive MTN8 final after Cape Town City win | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 2024-08-31. Retrieved 2024-09-29.

[1] "Orlando Pirates' 2022–23 Review: End of Season Report Card for the Soweto giants | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 2023-05-31. Retrieved 2024-09-29.

[2] "Pirates fight back to win third consecutive MTN title". www.psl.co.za. 2017-08-23. Retrieved 2024-10-05.

[3] "Orlando Pirates make history after winning third consecutive MTN8 title | soccer". SABC. 2024-10-05. Retrieved 2024-10-05.

[4] "Orlando Pirates Confirms Pre-season Schedule – Orlando Pirates FC". www.orlandopiratesfc.com. 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-09-29.

[5] "Orlando Pirates head back to Spain for pre-season as La Liga giants confirm meeting with Jose Riveiro's side | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-09-29.

[6] Sofascore. "Sevilla vs Orlando Pirates live score, H2H and lineups | Sofascore". www.sofascore.com. Retrieved 2024-09-29.

[7] "Top African Clubs Qualify for TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group Stage". Top African Clubs Qualify for TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group Stage. Retrieved 2024-09-29.

[8] "Defending champions Orlando Pirates off to third successive MTN8 final after Cape Town City win | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 2024-08-31. Retrieved 2024-09-29.

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