Orlando Pirates' biggest wins in the PSL era after their humiliation of TS Galaxy
To celebrate their success, we review the Buccaneers eight largest victories since the 1996/97 campaign, with four occurring over the past two seasons.
Olympics 0-9 Orlando Pirates
Bob Save Super Bowl 07 March 1999
The Sea Robbers most substantial triumph during the PSL period happened in this opening match of the Bob Save Super Bowl, currently known as the Nedbank Cup. The amateur team Olympics struggled against their offensive prowess and trailed 6-0 at the break before Pirates relaxed in the latter half. Sibusiso Zuma netted a treble, while Phumlani Mkhize, Simon Makhubela, and Thando Mngomeni each claimed a brace.
Orlando Pirates 6-0 Botswana Defence Force
CAF Cup Winners Cup 13 March 1999
Merely six days afterwards, Pirates secured yet another dominant result, this one in the initial stage of the CAF Cup Winners Cup, where they crushed Botswana Defence Force 6-0. Makhubela and Mkhize struck once more, joined by efforts from Josep Ngake, Steve Lekoelea, Denis Lota, and Andries Sebola.
Orlando Pirates 6-0 Free State Stars
League 12 April 2000
Lekoelea and Lota both bagged doubles as Pirates overpowered the Free State outfit. Thabo Mngomeni and Junaid Hartley also found the net.
Orlando Pirates 6-0 Ajax Cape Town
League 22 September 2004
Phumudzo Manenzhe notched a pair, complemented by strikes from Benedict Vilakazi, Tyren Arendse, Gift Leremi, and Abednigo Netshiozwi, during this significant league victory for the Buccaneers.
Crystal Lake 0-6 Orlando Pirates
Nedbank Cup 24 February 2024
It took two decades for Pirates to repeat a six-goal margin, and the victims were Mpumalangas fourth-division club Crystal Lake in the Nedbank Cup. Pirates were ahead 4-0 by the interval, courtesy of an own goal by Adam Khumalo, a spot-kick from Thapelo Xoki, and goals by Relebohile Mofokeng and Patrick Maswanganyi. Xoki contributed further after the break, alongside a finish from Tshegofatso Mabasa.
Orlando Pirates 7-1 Lamontville Golden Arrows
League 6 April 2024
Only six weeks on, Pirates dismantled Steve Komphela side Lamontville Golden Arrows in the Betway Premiership. Mabasa completed a hat-trick, with additional goals from Mofokeng, Kabelo Dlamini, Sandile Mthethwa, and Karim Kimvuidi, on an evening when they shredded Abafana Besthende.
Orlando Pirates 8-1 Marumo Gallants
League 24 December 2024
Pirates greatest league success in the PSL timeframe unfolded in a remarkable encounter against Marumo Gallants. The interval saw a 1-1 deadlock, yet Pirates exploded in the second half, transforming it into a thrashing, marking them as the initial PSL side to net six times in one half of league action. An own goal by Kenneth Nthatheni right at the start established the momentum, although ex-Buccaneer Gabadinho Mhango levelled for Gallants. Mabasa delivered another treble post-interval, with Deano van Rooyen, Thalente Mbatha, who scored twice, and Boitumelo Radiopane also registering.
TS Galaxy 0-6 Orlando Pirates
League 22 March 2026
This outcome was entirely unexpected, given TS Galaxys solid backline this term, but their keeper Ira Tape endured a dreadful performance riddled with errors. Mofokeng achieved his inaugural hat-trick, supported by goals from Tshepang Moremi and ex-Rocket Kamogelo Sebelebele. Mlungisi Mbunjana produced one of the most absurd own goals imaginable, essentially gifting the ball past his own custodian.