Orlando Pirates close in on Kaizer Chiefs in PSL trophy race

Orlando Pirates could draw level with Kaizer Chiefs in the PSL-era trophy standings if they continue their strong recent run in the MTN8, with the latest edition of the competition offering them a significant opportunity to complete the chase.

Pirates begin the new MTN8 campaign with 20 trophies to their name, just one behind Chiefs, who have taken a decade to move from 20 titles to 21. It is the closest the Buccaneers have been to their Soweto rivals after making substantial progress over the past six years.

For much of the PSL era, Chiefs stood well clear of Pirates in terms of trophy success. The gap was particularly wide before the 2020-21 season, when AmaKhosi had collected 20 trophies compared with Pirates’ 11.

Pirates’ revival was driven in large part by a remarkable double-treble period. They won six trophies across two seasons, rising from four titles in their first 13 PSL-era seasons to 10. The 2013-14 Nedbank Cup then took their total to 11.

Since the beginning of the 2026-27 season, Pirates have added a further nine trophies, while Chiefs have won only one over the same 11-year period.

Josef Zinnbauer started the recent MTN8 success by guiding Pirates to the title in 2020. Jose Riveiro then delivered three successive triumphs in the competition, alongside two Nedbank Cup victories.

Abdeslam Ouaddou kept the MTN8 trophy at Pirates for a historic fourth consecutive year before also ending the club’s long wait for the Carling KnockOut Cup. Pirates had won that competition only once before last season’s success.

Their total of 20 trophies includes five league titles. The figure does not include the 1996 BP Top 8 or that year’s CAF Super Cup, because both competitions were played before August 1996, when the PSL came into effect.

Pirates’ pursuit of Chiefs is taking place behind the leading club in the PSL-era honours list. Mamelodi Sundowns have won 29 trophies and overtook Chiefs some time ago to become the most successful club during the period.

The Brazilians’ total includes 15 PSL league titles, two CAF Champions League crowns, the CAF Super Cup and the African Football League.

They have also won every domestic knockout competition available during the PSL era: the Nedbank Cup five times, the Carling KnockOut three times and the MTN8 twice.

The latest MTN8 therefore carries significance beyond its own trophy. Another success for Pirates would put them level with Chiefs and underline the scale of their transformation from a club once separated from their rivals by nine trophies to one now within touching distance of the lead.