Photo of Nomonde Simelane

Rocky start for Orlando Pirates in 2025/26 season

1y By Nomonde Simelane

Orlando Pirates fans cannot help but miss former coach Jose Riveiro, as their 25/26 Betway Premier League season is characterised by a 0-2 start under their new leader, Abdeslam Ouaddou.

After coming second only to the dominant Mamelodi Sundowns last season, Orlando Pirates have had a shaky start to the 25/26 season, which has seen them conceding six points in their first two games. Their newly appointed Moroccan head coach has failed to capture the trust of his new club, after failing to secure wins against Sekhukhune United, and his former team Marumo Gallants.

Hopes were incredibly high for the Soweto Giants, as they were one of the most successful clubs last season. This comes after taking home the MTN 8 title, and narrowly falling short of some notable tournaments as well. According to their fans, there are various reasons for the poor start, including coach Abdeslam’s decision to bench key players such as Makgopa and Tshegofatso Mabasa, despite them being fully healthy and ready to go.

On the other hand, their rival fans have been relishing in their struggles, as they celebrate Pirates’ loss as their own personal win. This kind of banter has become the norm between fans on social media, and it reflects the competitive and passionate nature of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) in South Africa.

It will be interesting to see how the Soweto Giants will respond to this rocky start, and whether this will be the beginning of a looming downfall, or if this setback is a mere piece of lore where they turn things around.

Also see: Mamelodi Sundowns rank among top 20 clubs in the world

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