Lekgwathi backs Orlando Pirates to defend title and repeat treble success

Orlando Pirates great Lucky Lekgwathi believes the club will retain their Betway Premiership crown and repeat last season’s domestic treble, insisting the champions have the depth and continuity to dominate again.

The new league campaign begins on Saturday at 15:00, with Pirates opening their title defence at Orlando Amstel Arena against top-flight newcomers Milford.

Pirates brought a 14-year wait for a league championship to an end last season, finally edging out long-time serial winners Mamelodi Sundowns. Now, the Soweto giants face the pressure of backing up that breakthrough triumph.

“Orlando Pirates is winning this league again,” said former captain Lekgwathi, speaking emphatically about the Buccaneers’ prospects this term.

Treble repeat the target

Lekgwathi, who captained Pirates to six trophies in two seasons – including back-to-back league titles and a famous treble – says the current squad is built to emulate that achievement.

“It is going to be a repeat of what happened last season,” he said.

He believes the key advantage for Pirates is squad stability, with the core of last season’s side kept together.

“Pirates didn’t lose players from those that were their regulars last season.

“The only notable departure was Rele (Mofokeng) but we also need to acknowledge that Pirates is not a one-man team.”

Lekgwathi drew a direct comparison with the period after the club’s first treble in the 2010-11 season, when continuity and targeted signings underpinned further success.

“I always tell them that it takes me back to just after we won the first treble at the end of the 2010/11 season.

“We didn’t lose any regulars and we then made strong signings (Siyabonga Sangweni and Benni McCarthy) to reinforce the team which has happened now with Pirates.

“We then defended our treble so now for them they must make sure that they defend the treble.”

Continuity versus rebuilding rivals

Lekgwathi expects Pirates to be the team everyone wants to beat, but argues that stability in both the squad and technical team gives them an edge while rival clubs undergo transition.

“I know Pirates will be targeted this season but having the same team will mean continuity while other are building or rebuilding,” he said.

“Pirates still have the same coach (Abdeslam Ouaddou) just like Mamelodi Sundowns who will be affected by Jayden Adams’ death.”

Lessons from tragedy

Reflecting on Mamelodi Sundowns’ situation, Lekgwathi suggested the club will feel the emotional impact of the death of Jayden Adams, and drew on his own painful experience at Pirates following the loss of goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.

“Sundowns will be affected by that because it also affected us with Senzo (Meyiwa) so I’m talking from experience,” he said.

With Pirates set to open the new campaign as favourites and defending champions, Lekgwathi’s message to his former club is clear: build on last season’s success, lean on continuity, and prove that the treble was not a one-off.