Orlando Pirates News Today: Ouaddou can smell the trophy, Bucs beat Chiefs’ record & more

Latest news about Orlando Pirates in the last 24 hours, including their coach Abdeslam Ouaddou admitting the PSL title is within reach and their Diski Challenge team beating Kaizer Chiefs’ record.

‘We can smell the trophy’ – Ouaddou on title race

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou feels his team can now start to smell the PSL title after their 3-0 win over Magesi FC edged them closer.

Goals from Patrick Maswanganyi, Kamogelo Sebelebele and a penalty by Oswin Appollis saw Pirates move three points behind Mamelodi Sundowns, who have played one game more, while the Buccaneers have a superior goal difference of +7, and Ouaddou thinks a first title since 2012 is within reach.

“We still have two games and definitely we want to make our fans happy. You know, 15 years or 14 years without a title – I think we start to smell it, we’re close but we cannot touch the trophy,” he said as per KickOff.

“So, we still have two games – we’ll see what happens – credit has to be given to the fantastic that really helped us and we’re going to fight for them until the end.”

Orlando Pirates beat Chiefs’ record to make DDC history

Orlando Pirates were crowned DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) champions for the first time in their history on Saturday following a 2-0 win over Mamelodi Sundowns and they did it in record-breaking fashion.

Pirates, who headed into the final match of the season requiring a draw to be crowned, ensured they collected three more points, taking their tally to 75 points, and that is the highest haul ever witnessed in the competition since its inception in 2014.

Kaizer Chiefs set a new record of 70 points when winning last season’s title. Pirates joined the list of DDC winners that also includes Chiefs, Stellenbosch FC (twice), SuperSport United, AmaZulu, Bidvest Wits, Bloemfontein Celtic, Golden Arrows (twice), Mamelodi Sundowns and the University of Pretoria.

Sipho Chaine overtakes Ronwen Williams

Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine has made history by becoming the first custodian to keep 19 clean sheets in PSL history.

Chaine overtook club legend Moeneeb Josephs’ record of 17 clean sheets on Tuesday, moving level on 18 with Mamelodi Sundowns’ Ronwen Williams, but after the Buccaneers 3-0 win over Magesi FC on Saturday, he is out there on his own.

The goalkeeper has been outstanding as the last line of defence in what is a mean Pirates backline that has let in just 12 goals in 28 games this season.