Orlando Pirates one win away from ending 13-year league title drought

Orlando Pirates stand on the brink of a historic triumph, needing just one more victory to seal their first league crown in over a decade and finally loosen Mamelodi Sundowns’ grip on the Premiership.

A win at home against Durban City on Saturday would be enough to send Pirates to the summit, completing a dramatic late push that has shifted the balance of power in South African football.

With Sundowns having already completed their 30-match campaign, Pirates’ superior goal difference means three points will decisively lift them above their rivals.

The potential title carries deep significance. Pirates have not lifted the league trophy since 2012, a period during which Sundowns have built an era of dominance, claiming eight consecutive titles and setting the benchmark for consistency.

That long wait now appears close to ending, with momentum firmly in Pirates’ favour at a crucial stage of the season.

The current surge has stirred memories of past successes among those connected to the club. Former midfielder Hleza Mofedi, who was part of the Pirates side that won the league under Roy Barreto in 2002, believes the present squad has rediscovered a familiar winning spirit.

“We are Happy People! It is so nice to belong to the Orlando Amstel Arena, right now,” he said.

“Our players have done so well this season and they deserve the credit.”

Pirates’ opportunity has been shaped not only by their own consistency but also by a late stumble from Sundowns. A 3-2 defeat to TS Galaxy on Tuesday night proved decisive, leaving the reigning champions without a win in three of their last seven matches. It was an uncharacteristic dip that opened the door for their closest challengers.

Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso pointed to fatigue as a key factor behind the slip. The demanding schedule has seen his side play seven matches in just 21 days, stretching resources at a critical point in the season.

“The calendar has beaten us and we need to recover as soon as possible,” Cardoso said.

Their focus now shifts to continental ambitions, with a CAF Champions League final looming. Sundowns are set to face FAR Rabat in the first leg at Loftus on Sunday, a clash that further complicates their recovery amid limited rest compared to their opponents.

All of this leaves Pirates in control of their destiny. After years of near misses and watching from the shadows, they now have the simplest of equations: win at home and reclaim the title.

The stage is set for a defining moment, one that could mark the end of Sundowns’ dominance and signal a long-awaited resurgence for one of South Africa’s most storied clubs.