Orlando Pirates have made a remarkable start to their domestic campaign, producing a sequence of four consecutive victories that has caught the attention of South African football supporters.
The defending Betway Premiership champions have won their last four domestic matches by progressively bigger margins: 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 and 4-0.
It is an unusual sequence and one that has quickly become a talking point among Pirates fans.
Pirates’ remarkable run
The sequence began with a narrow 1-0 victory over Sekhukhune United in the MTN8 before Pirates followed it up with a 2-0 league win over the same opponents.
They then defeated Sekhukhune 3-0 in the second leg of their MTN8 semi-final before producing their biggest result of the run — a 4-0 victory over Kruger United.
That means Pirates have scored 10 goals without conceding in their last four domestic matches, while simultaneously moving from one-goal victories to increasingly convincing wins.
For a team competing across several competitions, the run represents an encouraging sign of consistency.
Pirates finding solutions despite injuries
The impressive results have come despite injury concerns in midfield.
With Sihle Nduli and Thalente Mbatha unavailable, other players have been given greater responsibility.
Cemran Dansin, Thapelo Mokobodi, Simphiwe Selepe and Mthetheleli Mthiyane have all stepped up, providing additional depth as Pirates attempt to defend their domestic crown while competing on multiple fronts.
The ability to rotate the squad could prove particularly important as the season progresses.
Pirates face a busy September
The Sea Robbers will now turn their attention to continental football.
Pirates are scheduled to face La Cure Waves FC in a CAF Champions League qualifying double-header on 6 and 12 September.
Their next Betway Premiership fixture is then scheduled for 17 September against Durban City.
Pirates and Sundowns setting the early pace
Pirates’ start to their title defence has been particularly impressive.
They have won four of their opening five league matches and drawn the other, leaving them unbeaten.
Mamelodi Sundowns have made an identical start, setting up what could become another fascinating battle at the top of the Betway Premiership.
For now, however, Pirates can enjoy an extraordinary run that has produced four straight domestic wins — 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 and 4-0.
Whether anyone will ever reproduce such a sequence remains a question for football history, but it has certainly given Pirates supporters another reason to believe their champions are ready for another big season.
