Orlando Pirates held by Durban City to keep Sundowns’ PSL hopes alive

Orlando Pirates failed to collect a much-needed win to clinch the Premier Soccer League title as they were held to a goalless draw by Durban City at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The Sea Robbers came into the match aware that a win of any kind will give them a much coveted South African top-flight crown.

For the visitors, a positive outcome was vital to realise the club’s ambition of playing in the MTN8 competition for 2026/27 edition.

Half of missed chances

The Bucs players, as expected, dominated proceedings amid cheers from thousands of fans who had filled the stadium hoping to see their team get crowned for the first time in 14 years.

Nevertheless, Durban City gave a good account of themselves, ensuring they didn’t give the Soweto giants an early goal that could have distabilised them.

Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi and Oswin Appollis had opportunities to at least find the back of the net, but their decision-making cost them, while the defense also did its part to ensure the Sea Robbers don’t get a goal.

♻️38' Subs | @orlandopirates 0 – 0 @DurbanCity_FC

🟢Makgopa
🔴Mbuthuma

⚫⚪🔴⭐#MatchDay#OrlandoPirates#OnceAlways pic.twitter.com/GLGQYFMjKW

— Orlando Pirates (@orlandopirates) May 16, 2026

The hosts were forced into making a substitute in the 37th minute, as Yanela Mbuthuma suffered an injury, paving the way for Evidence Makgopa, but that didn’t change the scoreline as the first-half ended goalless.

Pirates give Sundowns hopes of winning it

The tension could be felt by Bucs supporters in the stadium, as the players struggled to break the resilient Citizens.

Thabo Nodada did well to force Sipho Chaine to a routine save, but it was Appollis who could have done better in the 60th minute, only to see his effort sail over the crossbar.

Deon Hotto and Kamogelo Sebelebele had some decent opportunities, but a lack of composure in the final third saw them fail to put the ball in the net, much to the frustration of the fans.

The game eventually ended goalless, but Pirates now are two points behind Mamelodi Sundowns who will hope their rivals drop points in the final fixture against Orbit College to successfully defend the title.