NKOSINATHI Sibisi is in line to be the first Orlando Pirates captain to lift the league trophy in almost 15 years.
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Orlando Pirates are one victory away from officially sealing the Betway Premiership title, needing just three points from their remaining two matches to complete what has already become one of the club’s strongest modern campaigns.
But beyond the trophy itself, the Buccaneers are also closing in on several important statistical milestones that could see this side enter the club’s record books.
Ahead of their clash against Durban City, here are four major records Pirates are projected to challenge before the season concludes.
Pirates currently sit on 65 points from 28 matches, meaning victory against Durban City would move them to 68 points, keeping them firmly on course for the best points return of their modern Betway Premiership era.
If they go on to win their final fixture as well, Pirates would finish the season on 71 points, a tally that would represent the club’s highest points total in the 30-game PSL format.
The projection highlights the consistency Pirates have shown throughout the campaign. Rather than relying on a late run, the Buccaneers have remained among the strongest sides in the division from the opening stages of the season.
Pirates have conceded just 12 goals in 28 league matches, making them comfortably the best defensive side in the division this season.
Another shutout against Durban City would move them even closer to finishing with their lowest goals-conceded totals seen in the PSL era.
While they can’t beat Sundowns’ 11 conceded last season and the Kaizer Chiefs of the 2002/2003, they still write their own piece of history.
Even if they concede once or twice in the remaining fixtures, they are still on track for a defensive return that would rank among the best in modern South African football.
Their defensive structure has become the backbone of the title charge, allowing Pirates to control games even when margins have been tight.
Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has been one of the standout performers in Pirates’ title push and is now closing in on an individual milestone of his own.
Chaine currently sits on 19 clean sheets in 28 league appearances, meaning another shutout against Durban City would take him to 20 clean sheets for the campaign.
If he keeps clean sheets in both remaining matches, he would finish the season on 21 clean sheets, a remarkable number in a 30-match campaign and one that would place him among the best single-season goalkeeping performances in PSL history.
The statistic underlines not only Chaine’s consistency, but also the discipline and organisation of the defensive unit in front of him throughout the season.
Pirates already have 20 victories from 28 matches, placing them within touching distance of another modern-era benchmark.
A win against Durban City would take them to 21 league victories, while winning both remaining fixtures would see them close the campaign with 22 wins from 30 matches.
That would underline the ruthlessness of Pirates this season.
Instead of allowing draws to slow momentum, they have repeatedly found ways to turn pressure matches into maximum points — one of the clearest signs of a championship-winning side.