Orlando Pirates Close Gruelling Season with Final Clash Against Magesi FC

Orlando Pirates will conclude a demanding and emotionally charged 2024/25 campaign when they host Magesi FC at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday, bringing the curtain down on a season filled with highs, heartbreaks, and what could have been.

This match will mark the 52nd fixture of the Buccaneers’ marathon season — one that began all the way back on August 3, 2024, with a dramatic 3-1 extra-time win over SuperSport United in the MTN8 quarterfinals. Since then, Pirates have navigated a packed schedule across all domestic competitions and on the continent, including the CAF Champions League.

Early signs hinted at something special. Pirates began their DStv Premiership campaign with flair, registering seven straight league wins, including a historic 8-1 demolition of Marumo Gallants. They stormed through the MTN8, eventually clinching the trophy for a third consecutive year in October — their only piece of silverware this term.

They also impressed on the continent. After a goalless draw away to Disciples FC in Mauritius in the CAF Champions League, they secured progress with a dominant second-leg performance. Pirates then dispatched Jwaneng Galaxy to reach the group stage and went on to top a tough group featuring CR Belouizdad and Al Ahly, underlining their growing continental presence.

In domestic terms, they were strong contenders midway through the campaign, having collected 27 points from their first 10 league matches. By January, they were in the running for a historic treble, still alive in the league race, Champions League, and Nedbank Cup.

However, the promise soon faded. Pirates were stunned by Pyramids FC in the CAF Champions League quarterfinals in Cairo — a defeat that stung, given their strong showing up to that point. They then lost the Nedbank Cup final to bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs, a result that left the fans devastated and the players deflated.

Just days later, Mamelodi Sundowns sealed their eighth consecutive league title, mathematically ending Pirates’ pursuit of the Premiership crown. The final four league matches of the season suddenly became a formality.

That downturn prompted the early departure of head coach Jose Riveiro. The Spaniard, who had already signaled his decision not to renew his contract, left the club before season’s end to explore new opportunities, with strong links to Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

Amid the disappointment, there have been positives. The introduction of several rising stars from the DStv Diski Challenge side has given fans a glimpse into a promising future. Young talents like Cemran Dansin, Siyabonga Dladla, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Mohau Nkota, Siyabonga Ndlozi, Yanga Madiba, and Simphiwe Selepe all made their senior debuts, injecting energy and excitement into the squad.

Their integration reflects a broader strategy at the club — investing in youth while maintaining a competitive edge at the top level.

As they welcome Magesi FC in their final match of the campaign, Orlando Pirates will finish the league season as distant runners-up once again. While the MTN8 title and a strong run in the Champions League offered moments of joy, the absence of a league crown and missed opportunities in the Nedbank Cup leave a bittersweet taste.

With a new coaching era on the horizon and a core of young talent emerging, Pirates will now look to reset and rebuild — with renewed hunger to close the gap on Sundowns and make a deeper mark in Africa in the seasons to come.