Orlando Pirates’ glorious season ended on a high note when they beat Orbit FC 2-0 without scoring a goal in their final league match played at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit to lift the 2025/26 Betway Premiership title.
Goalkeeper, Sabelo Nkomo and Ndumiso Ngiba scored two own goals which gave Pirates the deserved victory in a fast flowing match.
The Soweto giants came into this match with nothing in mind, but victory in order to dethrone the defending champions who had finished their season on top of the log with 68 points.
Earlier on, the Sea Robbers looked like they were not going to win this match, but things went into their favour when Orbit’s goalkeeper, Sabelo Nkomo scored in his own goals which gave the Abdeslam Ouaddou’s coach side a 1-0 lead in the the fifth minutes of referee’s added time of the first half.
☠️ FT| @mswenkoboyz 0 – 2 @orlandopirates
🥅 (OG) Nkomo 45+4', (OG) Ngiba 49'
⚫⚪🔴⭐#MatchDay#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/PRHQvBlCKZ
— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) May 23, 2026
Pirates came on strongly in the second half, pilling more pressure as they looked for the second goal to cement their victory, and it came as no surprise when N Ngiba scored an own goal while trying to clear the ball from the Bucaneeers’ goal attempt.
The results means that Mswengo Boys as Orbit are affectionationally known have been relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, thus giving Magesi FC who beat Richards Bay 1-0 in another league match, an opportunity of fighting for their status through the Promotional/Relegation Play-Offs after they finished on the 15th position.
This was Pirates’ first league title victory in 14 years since. They have clinched the title with 69 points, just one point above Mamelodi Sundowns.
This is Pirates’ third silver-ware title in one season under Ouaddou after the club who the MTN8, the Carling Cup and finally the league.
