Leading performances, highest scorers and unusual milestones: Statistics underpinning Orlando Pirates' triumphant treble campaign

Their primary setback was in the CAF Champions League, where they were eliminated in the second round following a semi-final appearance the previous season, alongside an unexpected defeat to second-tier Casric Stars in the Nedbank Cup.

Yet there was ample cause for celebration as they ended Mamelodi Sundowns' domestic dominance, securing their first league title in 14 years, marking their 10th overall, placing them just two behind Kaizer Chiefs and eight behind Sundowns.

Here are the figures that defined their season.

0 – Pirates avoided any red cards in the league this season, with only two players accumulating enough yellows for suspensions – Lebone Seema (6) and Masindi Nemtajela (4).

3 – Pirates matched their club record for the fewest league defeats in a season with just three losses, a feat last achieved in 1994. The defeats came against Sekhukhune United (0-1), Marumo Gallants (1-2) early in the campaign, and Sundowns (1-2) in February.

4 – Pirates found it challenging to recover after conceding first, which occurred in seven league matches. They failed to win any, recording four draws and three losses.

12 – Pirates conceded only 12 goals in 30 league games, one more than the PSL record of 11 set by Kaizer Chiefs in 2003/04. Chiefs had the next-best defence this season with 19 goals conceded.

13 – Evidence Makgopa was the most frequently used substitute in the league, appearing off the bench 13 times. Patrick Maswanganyi (12) followed closely. Oswin Appollis was the most substituted player, replaced in 18 league matches.

18 – Relebohile Mofokeng led the league in goal contributions with 18, comprising 10 goals and eight assists. Oswin Appollis was next with 15 (nine goals, six assists).

21 – Pirates were nearly invincible after taking the lead, winning 21 of the 22 league games where they scored first. Their sole lapse was a 2-1 loss to Marumo Gallants early in the season.

21 – Pirates equalled the league record with 21 clean sheets, shared with the 2003/04 Chiefs team. Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine set a new individual record, surpassing Ronwen Williams' 18.

21 – Pirates won 21 league games, one more than Sundowns (20). Chiefs trailed with 15 wins. The record for a Premiership season remains Sundowns' 24 in 2024/25, achieved in 28 games.

30 – Pirates scored 30 of their 58 league goals in the first half, with six coming after the 90th minute, showcasing their late-game prowess.

33 – Pirates earned 33 home points, second to Sundowns (39), with 10 wins, three draws, and two defeats, scoring 25 and conceding five.

33 – Pirates utilised 33 players in the league, fewer than only Durban City (28), Polokwane City (30), AmaZulu (31), and Richards Bay (32).

36 – Pirates topped the away standings with 36 points from 15 games, ahead of Chiefs and Sundowns (29). They recorded 11 wins, three draws, and one defeat, scoring 33 and conceding seven.

43 – Oswin Appollis featured in 43 of Pirates' 44 games, missing only the 3-0 CAF Champions League loss to St Eloi Lupopo. He tallied 21 goal contributions (12 goals, nine assists), one more than Relebohile Mofokeng (11 goals, nine assists).

44 – Pirates played 44 matches across all competitions, winning 31, drawing nine, and losing four.

58 – Pirates scored 58 league goals, their highest in a 30-game PSL season, surpassing their 2004/05 tally by six.

69 – Pirates set a club record with 69 points, eclipsing their previous best of 61 in 2002/03 and last season, when they finished second behind Sundowns in a truncated 28-game campaign.

2700 – Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was the only player to feature in every minute. Defender Lebone Seema (2,520) logged the most minutes among outfield players and collected the most yellow cards (6).