Orlando Pirates F.C.
Squad
- Oswin Appollis2025current
Aubrey Modibacurrent- João Carloscurrent
- William Okpara1989–2005
- David Nyathi1992–1993
- Jerry Sikhosana1993–1998
Mark Fish1993–1996
Lutz Pfannenstiel1996–1997- Lutz Pfannenstiel1996–1996
Sibusiso Zuma1998–2000- Jerry Sikhosana2000–2001
Lucas Thwala2004–2012
Onyekachi Okonkwo2004–2007- Senzo Meyiwa2005–2014
- Themba Mnguni2005–2006
Jabu Mahlangu2006–2007- Siyabonga Nomvethe2006–2006
Teko Modise2007–2011- Moeneeb Josephs2008–2013
Benni McCarthy2011–2013- Siyabonga Sangweni2011–2016
Tokelo Rantie2011–2012
Luís Boa Morte2012–2012- Onyekachi Okonkwo2012–2013
Fatau Dauda2013–2014
Lyle Foster2017–2019
Marshall Munetsi2017–2019- Relebohile Mofokeng2023–2026
Orlando Pirates F.C. is one of South Africa's oldest professional football clubs, established in 1937.
The club plays its home matches at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, a historic venue for South African football.
The Pirates were co-founded by James Mpanza and a group of teenagers from the Orlando Boys Club.
Biography
Formation
Orlando Pirates Football Club, commonly known as the Pirates, is a prominent South African professional football club based in Orlando, Soweto. The club was established in 1937, co-founded by James Mpanza and a group of teenagers from the Orlando Boys Club, who were inspired to form a football team after playing in informal settings. The original team competed barefoot and without uniforms, but in 1940, the first president, Bethuel Mokgosinyane, purchased the team's first kit, marking a significant step in the club's development.
Early Success
The Pirates quickly made their mark in local football, winning the Johannesburg Bantu Football Association's Saturday League Division Two title in 1939. They continued to rise through the ranks, achieving promotion to Division One in 1944. The team adopted the name 'Orlando Pirates' suggested by Andrew Bassie, and they became known for their spirited war cry, 'Ezimnyama Ngenkani'. Over the years, the club has enjoyed considerable success, winning multiple league titles and cups, including the National Professional Soccer League title in the early 1970s.
Legacy
Known as 'The Happy People', Orlando Pirates has a rich history and a passionate fan base. The club has accumulated numerous honors, including the Carling Black Label Cup and the Telkom Charity Cup, showcasing their dominance in South African football. As of May 23, 2026, they are the reigning PSL champions, further solidifying their status as one of the country's top football clubs. The Pirates continue to be a significant force in South African football, with a legacy that reflects their deep roots in the community and the sport.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Orlando Pirates is one of South Africa's oldest football clubs, having been established in 1937 in Orlando East, Soweto.. Orlando Pirates was co-founded by James Mpanza.
Early years
The founders of Orlando Pirates included the offspring of migrant workers who moved from rural areas to work in the gold mines of Gauteng. Boys in Orlando came together at every available opportunity in open spaces and in informal groupings to play football. The original club was formed in 1934 by a group of teenagers at the Orlando Boys Club. Andries Mkhwanazi, popularly known as "Pele Pele", was a boxing instructor at the Orlando Boys Club when he encouraged formation of a football club in 1937 and a year later those teenagers were competing among the minors of the Johannesburg Bantu Football Association barefoot and without a team kit. In 1940, Bethuel Mokgosinyane, the first president, bought the first team kit with his own funds. Orlando Boys participated in Johannesburg Bantu Football Association's Saturday League, where they won the Division Two title and gained promotion to Division One in 1944. Andrew Bassie, a key member of the team, suggested the new name 'Orlando Pirates'. The team composed the camp's war cry 'Ezimnyama Ngenkani'.
Since 1937
Over the years, Orlando Pirates, also known as 'The Happy People', have accumulated a record of successes having won the National Professional Soccer League title in 1971, 1973, 1975 and 1976, the National Soccer League title…
- League
- Premier Soccer League
- League
- South African Premier Division
Legacy
Amateur Era (1937-1960)
Johannesburg Bantu Football Association (JBFA) Saturday League Division Two
Champions (1): 1939 Johannesburg Bantu Football Association (JBFA) Saturday League Division One
Champions (3): 1955, 1956 & 1959 Johannesburg African Football Association (JAFA) Summer League
Champions (2): 1950, 1952 Transvaal Challenge Cup
Champions (3): 1952, 1955, 1959 SA Robertson Cup
Champions (4): 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953 Robor Shield Cup
Champions (1): 1959
Cup Competitions (unofficial)
Castle Challenge
Champions (1): 1992 Sales House Cup
Champions (5): 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1983 Carling Black Label Cup
Champions (5) record: 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019 Vodacom Challenge
Champions (2): 1999, 2005 Telkom Charity Cup
Champions (7) 1993,1995,1997, 1999, 2001, 2008, 2009 PSL Reserve League
Champions (2) record: 2007, 2026
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Orlando Pirates Football Club, referred to as simply Pirates, is a South African professional football club based in Orlando, Soweto that plays in the South African Premiership, the country's top-tier. The team plays its home matches at Orlando Stadium in Soweto. They are the current PSL champions having clinched the title on the 23rd of May 2026 in the final game of the 2025/26 season against Orbit College.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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