Learn more facts about the famous Orlando Pirates players, the club's owner, their stadium, their current coach, their trophies and their current world ranking. The South African club is one of the most prestigious teams in the PSL. Join us as we find out more about this successful team.
Source: UGC
The club was started in 1937 as Orlando Boys Club. They are a very successful club with many cups from domestic competitions to international competitions. Their squad is a mix of young and experienced players. This article reveals details about the players, owners, their value and more!
Orlando Pirates FC's profile
- Full name: Orlando Pirates Football Club
- Nicknames: Ezikamagebhula Ezagebhula Umhlaba Kamaspala Zawubhekisa Phezulu, Pirates, Amabhakabhaka, The Sea Robbers, Bucs, Happy People, Buccaneers, Ezimnyama Ngenkani
- Founded: 1937
- Stadium: Orlando Stadium
- Capacity: 37139
- Chairman: Irvin Khoza
- Headcoach: Fadlu Davids
- Captain: Happy Jele
- Networth: $21.4 million
- Instagram: @orlandopirates
- Twitter: @orlandopirates
- Facebook: @OrlandoPirates
Orlando Pirates FC squad
The team has a 37 man squad. Their average age is 27 years old. Players in the squad are:
Goalkeepers
- Richard Ofori
- Wayne Sandilands
- Siyabonga Mpontshane
- Elson Sithole
Centrebacks
- Thulani Hlatshwayo
- Ntsikelelo Nyauza
- Kwanda Mngonyama
- Happy Jele
- Olisha Ndah
Left-backs
- Innocent Maela
- Paseka Mako,
- Bongani Sam
Right-backs
- Wayde Jooste
- Thabiso Monyane
Defensive midfielder
- Abel Mabaso
Central midfielders
- Ben Motshwari
- Siphesihle Ndlovu
- Thabang Monare
- Goodman Mosele
- Ntsako Makhubela
Right midfielder
- Bandile Shandu
Attacking midfielders
- Fortune Makaringe
- Collins Makgaka
- Nkanyiso Zungu
- Linda Mntambo
Left wingers
- Deon Hotto
- Thembinkosi Lorch
- Kabelo Dlamini
- Tebogo Tlolane
Right winger
- Maliele Vincent Pule
Centre-forwards
- Gabadinho Mhango
- Tshegofatso Mabasa
- Terrence Dzvukamanja
- Zakhele Lepasa
- Kwame Peprah
- Katlego Cwinyane
- Boitumelo Radiopane
Their captain is Happy Jele. Their coach is Fadlu Davis.
Source: Getty Images
Orlando Pirates FC's achievements
They are a prestigious club and they have several achievements and trophies to their name:
- Premier Soccer League four times in 2000/2001, 2002/2003, 2010/2011, 2011/2012,
- National Soccer league in 1994,
- National Professional Soccer League winners in 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976,
- Nedbank Cup eight times in 1973, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1988, 1996, 2011, 2014,
- Telkom Knockout in 2011,
- The MTN 8 ten times in 1972,1973, 1978, 1983, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2010, 2011, 2021,
- CAF Champions League in 1995,
- CAF Supercup in 1996,
- Castle Challenge in 1992,
- Sales House Cup four times in 1972, 975, 1977, 1983,
- Carling Black Label Cup five times in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019,
- PSL Reserve League in 2007,
- The Vodacom Challenge twice in 1999 and 2005.
Orlando Pirates FC's stadium
Their stadium is Orlando Stadium, built in 1959. It has a capacity of 37,139 and is located in Soweto.
Orlando Pirates owner
Source: Getty Images
Irvin Khoza is the owner and chairman of the club. He has been in this position since 1991 after acquiring the club.
Orlando Pirates coaches
They have two co-coaches. Their names are Fadlu Davids and Mandla Ncikazi. Davids has held the position since 15 January 2019. On 18 June 2021, Mandla joined the backroom staff for Orlando Pirates. Sjoerd Woudenberg has been appointed the goal keeping coach position.
Orlando Pirates FC's trophies
They have several achievements and trophies to their name, such as:
- Premier Soccer League four times in 2000/2001, 2002/2003, 2010/2011, 2011/2012,
- National Soccer league in 1994,
- National Professional Soccer League winners in 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976,
- Nedbank Cup eight times in 1973, 1974, 1975, 1980, 1988, 1996, 2011, 2014,
- Telkom Knockout in 2011,
- The MTN 8 ten times in 1972,1973, 1978, 1983, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2010, 2011, 2021,
- CAF Champions League in 1995,
- CAF Supercup in 1996,
- Castle Challenge in 1992,
- Sales House Cup four times in 1972, 975, 1977, 1983,
- Carling Black Label Cup five times in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2019,
- PSL Reserve League in 2007,
- The Vodacom Challenge twice in 1999 and 2005.
Orlando Pirates legends
Their legends have played top-flight football representing their countries in many competitions. Some of their legends are:
- Stuart Lilley
- Dan Malesela
- Mbulelo Mabizela
- Lesly Manyathela
- Jomo Sono
- Jerry Sikhosana
- Helman Mkhalele
- Percy Moloi
- Eric Sono
- Benni McCarthy,
- Edward Motale
- Webster Lichaba
- John Moeti
- Shakes Mashaba
- Steve Lekoelea
Orlando Pirates captain
Their captain is Happy Jele. He was born on 1st January 1987 in Middelburg, Nigeria. He is 182cm tall which translates to 5'11". He has been at the club since 2006.
Source: Getty Images
Orlando Pirates FC's history
They were started in 1937 as Orlando Boys Club. Why is it called Orlando Pirates? They are named after the 1940 film The Sea Hawk. They were the first club to win three back to back trophies in the PSL.
Orlando Pirates FC's Instagram and other socials
Their Instagram handle is @orlandopirates. They have over 522,000 followers as of February 2022. Orlando Pirates Twitter is @orlandopirates and they have over 1.8 million followers on the platform. Orlando Pirates Facebook page is @OrlandoPirates where they have 2.6 million followers.
Orlando Pirates FC's net worth
Mamelodi Sundowns is South Africa's most valuable club by market value for the 2021/22 season as they sit second behind Egyptian giants Al Ahly. Orlando comes in the fifth richest football club with an estimated net worth of $21.4 million.
Source: Getty Images
Orlando Pirates FC's world ranking
As of February 2022, they are ranked at 397 worldwide. In Africa, they are ranked 21. In South Africa, they are 2nd.
Orlando Pirates new signings 2021/22
They have signed seven new players. They are:
- Kwanda Mngonyama
- Bandile Shandu
- Goodman Moselse
- Monnapule Saleng
- Ntsako Makhubela
- Olisah Ndah
- Kwame Peprah
Who founded Orlando Pirates in 1937?
It was formed by offsprings of migrant workers who worked in the gold mines of Gauteng.
Source: Getty Images
It is evident Orlando Pirates players have become some of the best over the years. They have won nearly every cup in South Africa and internationally. The team has been making significant strides in the soccer scene and their value of almost $22 million shows that.
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