Orlando Pirates News Today: Bucs stars in line to sweep awards, Downs’ stat that should worry Ouaddou & more

Latest news about Orlando Pirates, including the Mamelodi Sundowns numbers that should concern the Soweto giants and why Bucs players could sweep all individual accolades.

Sundowns stat that should worry Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates still have dreams of winning the PSL title but the numbers suggest it will be difficult to dislodge Mamelodi Sundowns.

Sundowns took their tally to 64 points from games after their 3-0 win over Polokwane City on Sunday, five more than Pirates, who have played 26 matches.

64 – Sundowns have accumulated 64 points this season. They've never failed to win the title having won 64 or more points in a PSL season (11x). Elect. pic.twitter.com/fLvXlPUbpA

— OptaJabu (@OptaJabu) May 3, 2026

Pirates can still close in and win it if they secure victory in all their matches while the Brazilians drop points in their three games.

However, according to Opta Jabu, Sundowns have never failed to win the title having won 64 or more points in a PSL season. That is bad news for Pirates who are on course to smash their own points record.

Pirates stars in line to sweep individual accolades

Orlando Pirates players could end up sweeping all individual awards in the PSL this season given what they have achieved so far.

With four matches still to play, Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine leads the Golden Glove race with 17 clean sheets, four more than Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs) and Ricatrdo Goss (Siwelele FC).

Meanwhile, Deon Hotto leads the assists charts with eight, one ahead of teammate Relebohile Mofokeng while Oswin Appollis is among four players on six. In goals scored, Mofokeng is third with 10, two behind Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns) and three a drift of Golden Arrows’ Junior Dion for the Golden Boot chase.

Ouaddou counting on rest to fire Bucs past Stellies

Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou believes his team’s nine-day rest can be the fuel they need for the final weeks of the season as they look to win the title.

Pirates last played on April 26 during the Soweto Derby and will face Stellenbosch FC on Tuesday looking to close the gap on leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

“I always say to my boys they’re doing a fantastic job because they started working last July and if you calculate the number of days of intense training (it is a lot) and I’m not even counting the national team players because it’s more games,” he said as per Sunday Tribune.

“So yes, I think we get about nine days now and it’s important for them to rest because they’re not robots, they are human and more especially if you see the effort they put into the game at the speed we demand so it’s important for them to rest.”