Three reasons why Orlando Pirates imploded

Orlando Pirates appeared to be on course to win a treble this season, but everything collapsed in the past six weeks.

The Sea Robbers started the 2024/25 season on a high by claiming the MTN8. At the time, the Buccaneers were top of the Betway Premiership, having won all their matches up to that point. With rivals Mamelodi Sundowns struggling under Manqoba Mngqithi, it looked as if it might be a big year for the Buccaneers,

So what went wrong for Orlando Pirates?

Lack of signings in January

Pirates lost to Stellenbosch and Cape Town City midseason and that should have been a wake-up call for the Bucs management. The club decided not to sign any new players during the January transfer period, and that came to bite them later in the season.

Orlando Pirates needed to bring in a top striker and a creative midfielder. The goals have come from Mohau Nkota, Relebohile Mofokeng and Evidence Makgopa, while Tshegofatso Mabasa has not been himself this season. With Monnapule Saleng sidelined, the Sea Robbers often lacked a supersub or creative spark in big matches.

A top striker was needed in the CAF Champions League, while a creative midfielder would have won the team league matches, especially against Sekhukhune United.

Losing key matches

Pirates lost a handful of matches, but the defeat to Pyramids in the CAF CL semi-final was the turning point. A few days after the CAF exit, the Buccaneers lost a league game, ultimately seeing Sundowns extend their gap at the top.

The Nedbank Cup loss to Kaizer Chiefs was Jose Riveiro’s first defeat in a final, having won his first five.

Orlando Pirates dropped the ball many times

Riveiro’s departure

The Spaniard announced his departure early in April and that seemed to have affected the players. Their performance dropped even in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, where they scraped through. It was evident that hi announcing his exit a few months before his contract was a bad call.

Orlando Pirates were often found wanting and that ultimately saw them winning just one trophy all season.

Who did it all go wrong for the Buccaneers?

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