Orlando Pirates end 2025 as South Africa’s undisputed team to beat

Orlando Pirates are head and shoulders above the rest, and they will end 2025 as the team to beat heading into the resumption of domestic duties at the conclusion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will start in less than a fortnight.

The Buccaneers bagged their second trophy of the season with a 1-0 extra-time win over Marumo Gallants to lift the Carling Knockout final. With Pirates leading the league title chase by two points over Mamelodi Sundowns — and still holding a game in hand — things are looking promising for the Soweto giants.

With plenty still up for grabs, here we break down what has worked so far for the Sea Robbers as they end 2025 on a high.

The player-coach bond

Perhaps more alarming for the rest of the Premier Soccer League is the quick camaraderie between coach Abdeslam Ouaddou and his players and just how close-knit the group has become in such a short period.

It has taken some getting used to seeing the lanky Moroccan coach involved in every celebration at the corner flag, but every time it happens it serves as a reminder of how together this squad is. A team that plays for its coach often delivers more times than not, and Pirates are showing exactly that.

The Carling Black Label Cup clash against an All Star team will be yet another opportunity to build more momentum and end the year strongly, but crucially also a chance to give other players valuable minutes.

Clinical displays consistency

While last season was a tough campaign — good enough to compete but lacking consistency —  Pirates simply could not produce the level of clinical performances needed to keep pace with the well-oiled Sundowns machine.

This season, they have put teams to the sword, and even on their off days, they still manage to grind out results.

Bafana Bafana experience

As expected at the start of the season, the Buccaneers eventually lived up to expectations, and their consistency and impact have not only earned them early success but also positioned a bulk of their squad to play crucial roles in Hugo Broos’ side.

With their elimination from the CAF Champions League, the experience gained at AFCON could help close that gap and make them an even more dangerous outfit. With some of their players guaranteed minutes at the tournament, fatigue aside, that exposure could make them an even more refined team when the season resumes.

New arrivals settled with ease

Recruitment is often meant to improve a side, but bedding in new players can take time. Yet with a large squad to work with, Ouaddou has struck an impressive balance between building on last season’s success and ensuring the new arrivals fit seamlessly into the team’s structure.

Almost all players, including the newcomers, have been given opportunities, and those who have taken them have contributed directly to the club’s success so far. While managing this has not been easy, the benefit has been increased competition within the squad — not only to get better but also to ensure that every contribution counts.

Operation vat alles in motion?

With the MTN8 and now the Carling Knockout already secured, Pirates have not yet left the scraps for the rest of the league. With a lead at the top of the Betway Premiership and the Nedbank Cup still up for grabs, the Soweto giants have a strong claim on both remaining major trophies.

It does not help the rest of the league that with so much depth — and fewer commitments after exiting the continent’s premier competition — Pirates can now focus solely on these two fronts.

The elusive league title will be their biggest target, and while they have thrown the first punch heading into the Christmas break, the road ahead will not be easy. But they are exactly where they would have wanted to be after losing the opening two matches of the campaign, and it helps with Sundowns appearing more vulnerable than usual.