Orlando Pirates had a lot of exciting moments and a few setbacks in the year 2024.
Afrik-Foot takes a look at top 10 things we learned about the Buccaneers.
1 – Cup Dominance Continues:
Pirates further solidified their dominance in domestic cup competitions, winning the Nedbank Cup and MTN8. However, they missed out on the Carling Knockout Cup. Jose Riveiro has now guided the club to four trophies during his tenure.
2 – Mohau Nkota's Rise:
Following in the footsteps of Relebohile Mofokeng, another promising talent has emerged from the Pirates youth academy.
Mohau Nkota, promoted to the senior team last season, has made a strong impact, scoring four goals in nine appearances across all competitions.
3 – Sesane's Defensive Stature:
Thabiso Sesane has established himself as a key figure in the Pirates defense. The young centre-back played a pivotal role in helping the team win MTN8. He won the Man of the Match award.
His impressive performances have reportedly attracted interest from a French Ligue 1 club.
4 – Ndah's Injury Woes:
Despite his talent, Olisa Ndah has been plagued by injuries, hindering his consistent contribution to the team.
5 – Mabhida Stadium: A Fortress:
The Moses Mabhida Stadium has become a fortress for Pirates, with impressive victories in the Nedbank Cup semifinal and MTN8 final this year, and consistently strong support from their fans.
6 – Stellies still a thorn:
Stellenbosch FC continue to be a challenging opposition for Pirates, having defeated them twice in the league last season and again in the current campaign.
7 – Strong Start to the Season:
Pirates enjoyed a strong start to the 2024/25 season, remaining unbeaten in 11 consecutive games across all competitions.
They also had a spell where they were sitting at the summit of the league table. However, they have moved down with Sundowns taking the place.
8 – Champions League Contenders:
Pirates have shown strong form in the CAF Champions League, advancing to the group stages and currently occupying second place in their group.
9 – Ncikazi's Contract Renewed:
The assistant coach, Mandla Ncikazi, who’s been at the club since 2021, had his contract renewed after it came to an end at the conclusion of the last season.
Ncikazi penned a new two-year deal with the Buccaneers, extending his stay until June 2026.
10 – Riveiro's Future Uncertain:
Speculation has arisen regarding Riveiro's future at Pirates, with his current contract set to expire next year.
Meanwhile, when he arrived, he stated that he believed a coach should not remain at the club beyond three years.
