Pirates begin chase for trophy that keeps eluding them

Orlando Pirates have become cup specialists over the past season with four successive MTN8 wins and success in two of the last three Nedbank Cup but the Carling Knockout, in its various guises, has largely been a bogey competition for them down the years.
They have in fact lifted the trophy just once since its inception in 1982, and lost a further eight finals.
Over the last two seasons they were ousted by underdogs, which is something of an omen for Saturday’s clash against struggling Siwelele at the Orlando Stadium.
🚨#𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐞 🚨
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) September 30, 2025
Tickets for the Round of 16 matches in the Carling Knockout are on sale at Open Tickets online and nationwide for R60.
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Richards Bay eliminated them in a shock result in the 2023 quarter-final, winning on post-match penalties, while Magesi dumped them out in the first round last season with a sensational 3-2 upset in Soweto, leading 3-0 at half-time before Pirates attempted a late comeback.
It was the first time Pirates had lost a game outright in the competition since 2016 (W6 D4), going out on penalties on the last four occasions they have exited, and on five of the last six.
In fact, since 2010 they have lost 11 ties and seven of those have been via spot-kicks. They have not won a single shoot-out in that time.
Their overall competition record is dismally poor for a club who have done well in the other knockout competitions.
That single victory came in 2011 when they beat BidVest Wits 3-1 in the final thanks to goals from Thulasizwe Mbuyane, Daine Klate and Isaac Chansa.
But for the rest there has been little cheer, despite their numerous final appearances.
They lost to Bush Bucks in 1987, then to Mamelodi Sundowns in 1990. It took five years to return to the final and this time it was Wits who beat them 1-0.
They were then stunned by a young Ajax Cape Town 4-1 in a replay of the 2000 decider, and lost to Ajax again in 2008 and bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs in 2010.
There was some respite with that 2011 success, but normal service resumed after that with shock final losses to Platinum Stars (2013) and Baroka (2018).
There is no real explanation why their conversion rate is so poor, they have a strong record in MTN8 and Nedbank Cup finals.
In all, Pirates have played 79 games in the League Cup since 1996/97, winning 41, drawing 20 and losing 18. They have scored 127 goals and conceded 83.
ORLANDO PIRATES RECORD IN PSL ERA
Tournament finishes
2024/25: First Round
2023/24: Quarterfinals
2019/20: Quarterfinals
2018/19: Final
2017/18: Quarterfinals
2016/17: Semifinals
2015/16: Semifinals
2014/15: Semifinals
2013/14: Final
2012/13: Quarterfinals
2011/12: Winners
2010/11: Final
2009/10: Semifinals
2008/09: Final
2007/08: First Round
2006/07: Quarterfinals
2005/06: Semifinals
2004/05: First Round
2003/04: First Round
2002/03: First Round
2001/02: First Round
2000/01: Final
1999/00: Semifinals
1998/99: Semifinals
1997/98: Semifinals
1996/97: Quarterfinals
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