Can Orlando Pirates Repeat Their Historic Double Treble?

After 14 years of rebuilding to dominate South African football, Orlando Pirates finally got their hands on the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) biggest prize by winning the league title last season. The Soweto giants didn’t only clinch the league trophy in the last campaign, but they also won a treble as they managed to win both MTN8 and the Carling Knockout.

With that being said, the question is can Pirates repeat the famous double treble they achieved during the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons? For football fans and punters alike, this could be one of the most exciting PSL seasons in years.

Remembering Orlando Pirates’ Historic Double Treble

The 2010/11 and 2011/12 campaigns will always remain the greatest period in Pirates’ modern history. Under coach Ruud Krol and later Augusto Palacios, the Ghosts dominated South African football by winning six major trophies, including the league crown across those two seasons.

Their incredible achievements included:

2010/11

• PSL League title
• MTN8
• Nedbank Cup

2011/12

• PSL League title
• MTN8
• Telkom Knockout

This feat made the Buccaneers the first South African team to win back-to-back domestic trebles.

Why Pirates Have a Chance This Season

As the defending champions, there are several factors that contribute to why the Sea Robbers will go all the way for another historic treble.

Squad Depth

Pirates have released several players, including the likes of Relebohile Mofokeng, who went to Europe and was a key player to help the Soweto giants to win the treble. Despite that, Ezimnyama Ngenkani has always been busy during the transfer window to strengthen their squad.

Between Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, they have depth and quality when it comes to players. Their ability to rotate players while maintaining quality gives them a major advantage during a demanding season that includes league and cup competitions.

Winning Mentality

The Buccaneers are known for not keeping the coach that has won the league for the next season. This time around the team’s hierarchy have decided to keep their coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, despite the coach revealing that he wanted to resign. This continuity shows that the club is committed to keeping the winning mentality. Recent victories have restored belief within the squad, and the players understand the pressure of competing for trophies.

Tactical Flexibility

Modern Pirates have shown they can dominate possession, defend compactly, and score on the counterattack. This tactical versatility is crucial when facing different opponents across multiple competitions.

The Biggest Challenge: Mamelodi Sundowns

If Orlando Pirates are to repeat history, overcoming Sundowns remains the biggest obstacle.

The Brazilians continue to set the standard in South African football with their consistency, squad depth, and experience. Any title race is likely to go down to the final weeks of the season, making every point crucial.

Can Pirates Win Another Treble?

Winning a treble is not easy, especially back-to-back; even top-tier clubs from European leagues have never won a back-to-back treble. Winning a second consecutive treble, as Pirates did over the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons, is one of the greatest achievements in South African football history.

To repeat that level of success, Pirates will need:

• Consistent league performances
• Strong injury management
• Clinical finishing in knockout competitions
• Squad rotation during congested fixtures

If they maintain form throughout the campaign, another treble is certainly within reach.

Betting on the PSL

The 2026/27 campaign is about to resume, and the PSL matches create opportunities for football betting. Fans can back match winners, both teams to score, over/under goals, first goalscorer and outright league winners throughout the season.

If you are looking to bet on PSL games, Bet.co.za offers competitive markets on Pirates, Sundowns, and Kaizer Chiefs fixtures, Betway Premiership matches, MTN8, Nedbank Cup, and other international football competitions like the Premier League. Always gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford to lose.

Verdict

Repeating the legendary double treble of 2010/11 and 2011/12 is an enormous challenge, but Orlando Pirates have shown they possess the quality, depth, and ambition to compete on every front. While Mamelodi Sundowns remain their biggest rival, the Buccaneers have every reason to believe another historic season is possible.

For supporters, this campaign promises excitement, drama and the possibility of witnessing another chapter in Orlando Pirates’ rich history. Whether you’re cheering from the stands or placing a bet on PSL matches through Bet.co.za, this season could be one to remember.