Orlando Pirates are undoubtedly South Africa’s new ‘Cup Kings ‘ of South African football.
The Buccaneers defeated Stellenbosch 3-1 on Saturday evening to claim their third successive MTN8 title. In the past five editions of the tournament, the Sea Robbers have claimed four MTN8 titles; three under Jose Riveiro and one under former coach Josef Zinnbauer.
Are Orlando Pirates Cup specialists?
The Buccaneers were not always fortunate in finals over the past 20 years. In fact, they won only one domestic cup between 2000 and 2009, the BP Top 8 in 2000. In those years, Pirates played and lost many finals to the likes of Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and even Ajax Cape Town. One of their biggest defeats was in the 2000 final of the Rothmans Cup where the Sea Robbers were thrashed 4-1.
In the meantime, Pirates rivals Kaizer Chiefs were winning finals left, right and centre. Under Mushin Ertugral, Ted Dumitru and Ernst Middendorp, Amakhosi kept on winning trophies every season. At the time, Chiefs were cup specialists while Orlando Pirates were just finalists.
The Buccaneers’ curse was broken in 2010 when they lifted their first cup in 10 years. ironically the first cup they won was the MTN8 followed by the league title and Nedbank Cup to complete a historic treble under Dutch coach Ruud Krol.
The next season, Pirates secured another treble and two years later, they added another Nedbank title. After that, the Sea Robbers will go on a losing streak of five finals before finally lifting the MTN8 in 2020.
Since then, Orlando Pirates have won every cup competition that’s on offer. In their last six finals since 2020, the Soweto giants have won five, losing only the CAF Confederations Cup final.
Can Pirates win more trophies this season?
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