Manqoba Mngqithi highlights what has made Orlando Pirates unstoppable 

Golden Arrows coach Manqoba Mngqithi has highlighted why Orlando Pirates have been so good so far this season.

Pirates won a third trophy of the season when they lifted the Carling Black Label Cup following a 2-0 victory over a Carling All Stars team coached by Mngqithi at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

After a goalless first half, Sifiso Luthuli and Boitumelo Radiopane scored well-taken goals in the second half to make Pirates the first team to ever win the Carling Knockout and Black Label Cup as coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s side made it three trophies when the season is just getting to the halfway mark.

Mngqithi is among those impressed by Pirates’ season so far and he believes one key thing has changed about them this term, making them hard to stop.

Why are Pirates so good this season?

Manqoba Mngqithi reveals what is different about Orlando Pirates this season! ☠️🔥⚽️🙌🏼#AirMobile #BetwayPrem pic.twitter.com/6L43ngGjB0

— SoccerBeat (@SoccerBeatZA) December 13, 2025

“What is more fascinating with this Pirates team and can surprise a lot of people is that they are just efficient,” said Mngqithi.

“They don’t create a lot of chances, they rely a lot on mistakes of the opponents but they are able to punish most of those mistakes which in the past they would miss a lot maybe but they do not create a lot of chances.

“But this season, I think the inclusion of players like [Tshepang] Moremi, [Oswin] Appollis has really refined their attacking play and you know what Appollis is capable of. [Yanele] Mbuthuma may be everywhere in that position but he is strong aerially and works very hard defensively.”

Arrows coach fires warning to Bucs

However, Mngqithi has sounded a warning to Pirates, saying their title credentials will be tested in the second half of the season as teams will employ a more defensive approach against them.

“That is something they are building on and that efficiency, if it dries up, then you must rely on how much creativity and how do you force opponents to make mistakes,” he added.

“Because it is a different story to say when you have to break down low blocks because I can guarantee you from what they have done in the first half of the season, a lot of teams are going to sit back and when they sit back, then it asks a lot of questions because at the moment, they have created a lot of goals from transition.”

Pirates had won the MTN8 before the Carling double and end the year top of the PSL table, giving their fans hope that they can win the league title for the first time since 2012.