PSL boss salutes ‘unbeatable’ Orlando Pirates

TS Galaxy chairman has lauded Orlando Pirates for turning around their fortunes to become a team that opponents now fear to face.

Pirates have become a tough team to beat in recent years while they have taken their level a notch higher in the last couple of seasons to dislodge Mamelodi Sundowns as Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions.

The Buccaneers are now one of the two title contenders in the PSL and since coach Abdeslam Ouaddou came in, they have become not just hard to score against but to beat.

Sukazi is impressed by the work the club and its supporters have put in to return success and make Orlando Amstel Arena a fortress.

Sukazi lauds giants strides from Pirates

Tim Sukazi on struggling to score against Orlando Pirates Esgodini + the league title chase being a two-horse race between Pirates & Mamelodi Sundowns… #snawa https://t.co/LpVSJEFReG pic.twitter.com/P9vFdwj5Xv
— SPORTS NIGHT AMPLIFIED with ANDILE (@SNAWA_MetroFmSA) October 18, 2026

“They have put in quality work in the last three to four years,” Sukazi said on Metro FM’s Sports Night Amplified with Andile Ncube.

“There has been this 360-degree change in the outlook of that club. They are filling up without any hesitation the Orlando Amstel Arena. It is amazing,” he added, lauding the supporters for turning up in large numbers.

TS Galaxy boss Tim Sukazi. – Picture by TS Galaxy

“I was just from there last Tuesday and if you look at the number of chances we had in the first half, we could not put it away. The goal just doesn’t go in.

“Things beyond control, you saw the cutback by [Seluleko] Mahlambi into [Victor] Letsoalo, two of our centre forwards, the first one had to slip and missed the ball and the other one missed one yard out of the goal area.”

Dreaded trip to Orlando Amstel Arena

So tough it is to face Pirates now that Sukazi admits his team and others now dread a trip to the Orlando Stadium as they know they will come out with nothing most of the time.

“It is a tough terrain and they [Pirates] have created that,” he added. “It is also daunting for opponents and our players when they have to play at Orlando and the atmosphere, the vibe and following and singing.”

Sukazi feels the exit of Bloemfontein Celtic, one of the most supported clubs in the country, also left a void that Pirates and to some extent Sundowns, have exploited to bring more numbers into the stands.

Bucs and Downs benefiting from Celtics’ exit?

Orlando Pirates playing against TS Galaxy. Image: Orlando Pirates

“The exit of Bloemfontein Celtic somehow caused Orlando Pirates to take over the scene and Mamelodi Sundowns supporters,” he further stated.

“Sundowns supporters have also come out and they sing in those stands and have formed a culture of sorts. These are the things that we want for our flagship clubs because that is what the world wants to see.”

Sukazi’s Galaxy have already felt Pirates’ might this season as they lost 3-0 at Orlando Stadium last week and last season, they were beaten home and away, conceding eight goals without reply, including a 6-0 thrashing in Mpumalanga.