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Orlando Pirates had one hand on the Betway Premiership trophy on Saturday afternoon and could not close the grip. A goalless draw against Durban City at a sold-out Orlando Amstel Arena leaves the title race open for one more week. Pirates must beat Orbit College on Saturday May 23 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium to end a 14-year wait for league glory. If they do not win, Mamelodi Sundowns retain the title they have held since 2017 despite having already finished their season.
The numbers going into Saturday's game told a clear story. Sundowns finished with 68 points from 30 matches and a goal difference of plus 36. Pirates, with 66 points from 29 matches and a goal difference of plus 44, needed only a win to go above their rivals on both metrics. The Orlando Stadium was sold out and packed with supporters who came expecting to witness history. Instead, they watched Durban City keeper Frederick Asare produce the performance of his career.
How Durban City Held On
Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made two decisions that surprised observers. He left Evidence Makgopa, his most reliable finisher, on the bench and handed a first league start of the season to Simphiwe Selepe in the midfield. Yanela Mbuthuma started ahead of Makgopa in attack. Neither decision paid off in the first half, though the chances that Durban City denied were created in spite of the selection rather than because of it.
Relebohile Mofokeng was sharp throughout. His short corner combination with Oswin Appollis produced the match's clearest early chance, Appollis drilling a thunderous effort from 20 yards that Asare pushed over the bar with both fists. Later in the first half, Mofokeng's direct running earned another chance from the edge of the area, saved again by the Durban City keeper. As reported by Kick Off, Durban City captain Siphamandla Ncanana led by example throughout, making crucial tackles and disrupting Pirates's flow with an aggression that belied his side's mid-table standing.
The second half produced more of the same. Pirates had the ball, created half-chances, and found Asare equal to everything they produced. Ouaddou brought on Makgopa with 20 minutes remaining, his most experienced finisher finally on the pitch. The Buccaneers pushed. Durban City held their shape. The final whistle confirmed the draw that nobody in black and white wanted.
The Final Day Picture
The situation heading into the final round of Betway Premiership fixtures on May 23 is straightforward. Pirates need to beat Orbit College at Royal Bafokeng Stadium to become champions. Orbit College are facing relegation and have two wins in their last 18 league matches, a form line that offers Pirates genuine reason for confidence. If Pirates win, they become champions regardless of everything else, ending a sequence of eight consecutive titles for Sundowns and the club's own 14-year wait since their last league triumph in 2011-12.
If Pirates draw or lose, Sundowns retain the title on points. That outcome would mean Sundowns win the Betway Premiership despite finishing their season a week before the final round of fixtures, losing their last match to TS Galaxy, and watching their nearest rival control their own destiny for the final two weeks of the campaign. It would also mean Pirates finish second for the fourth consecutive season, a record of near-misses that would define Ouaddou's tenure in the most painful possible way.
Sundowns are in Rabat on May 24 for the second leg of the CAF Champions League final. If they win the title by default on May 23, they will be chasing a continental and domestic double in the space of seven days. If Pirates take care of their business first, Cardoso's side travels to Morocco knowing the league is already gone and the continental crown is the only trophy remaining in a season that has narrowed to one match.
Final day fixtures: Saturday May 23. Orlando Pirates v Orbit College at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, kickoff 15h00.
