Orlando Pirates were crowned Betway Premiership champions after defeating Orbit College FC 2-0 in a dramatic title-clinching encounter on Saturday — despite not scoring a single goal themselves.
Both goals came from costly defensive errors by Orbit College, handing Pirates their first league title since 2012 and ending the long-standing dominance of Mamelodi Sundowns.
The breakthrough came in first-half stoppage time when Orbit goalkeeper Sabelo Nkomo accidentally punched a corner kick into his own net under pressure from Pirates attackers. Minutes into the second half, defender Ndumiso Ngiba attempted to clear another dangerous ball but lobbed it over his own goalkeeper to double the Buccaneers’ advantage.
The victory saw Pirates finish top of the 16-team table, one point ahead of Sundowns, who had won the league title for eight consecutive seasons.Under coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, Pirates completed a remarkable domestic treble after also lifting two knockout trophies earlier in the season.Thousands of supporters celebrated wildly at the packed stadium as the Soweto giants finally reclaimed the Premiership crown after years of near misses, having finished runners-up to Sundowns multiple times in recent seasons.
Orbit College’s defeat also confirmed their relegation from the top flight after only one season in the Premiership.
Email : motshwari@onenews.co.za
What do you feel about this post?
Like
Love
Happy
Haha
Sad
