Orlando Pirates’ DDC champions suffer heavy defeat on Netherlands tour

Orlando Pirates’ DStv Diski Challenge champions began their European tour with a 5-0 defeat by the Under-21 side of Dutch club SBV Vitesse.

The young Buccaneers are in the Netherlands for their “Winners Tour” after securing the 2025/26 DDC title, the first championship in the competition’s history for Orlando Pirates.

Their tour began with a visit to the Johan Cruyff Arena on Sunday, where they watched the Eredivisie fixture between Ajax Amsterdam and SC Heerenveen. They then started a programme of friendly matches against Dutch opposition on Tuesday.

However, the opening game proved a difficult test for Roscoe Krieling’s team, who fell behind after only three minutes.

According to the league’s official Asidlali account, Pirates were “outmuscled and outmanoeuvred” as Vitesse doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute.

The hosts added a third goal just two minutes later to establish a commanding lead before the half-hour mark. Pirates improved during the closing stages of the first half and began to find more composure, but they went into the interval three goals behind.

The South African side made a more positive start after the break and attempted to mount a comeback. Their task became significantly harder in the 65th minute, though, when Oscar Gqeke was sent off.

Vitesse took advantage immediately. One minute after the dismissal, the Dutch side extended their lead with a well-taken free-kick.

The home team completed the scoring in the 76th minute to finish a convincing victory and leave Pirates facing a heavy opening defeat on their tour.

The match formed the first of three fixtures scheduled for the DDC champions in the Netherlands. Pirates will return to action on Thursday against De Graafschap.

They will then complete the tour with two matches on Saturday, taking on Sparta Rotterdam before facing Yamanashi Gakuin High School.

The tour offers the young Buccaneers an opportunity to test themselves against teams from outside South Africa after their historic DStv Diski Challenge success. That title earned the Orlando Pirates youngsters their place on the European trip, but they were unable to begin the campaign with a positive result against Vitesse’s Under-21 team.

Pirates starting XI: Koalepe, Fetsha, Kubayi, Derbyshire, Gqeke, Chatburn, Padime, Manana, Nzimande, Zikalala