The mathematics of the title race have shifted decisively in Orlando Pirates’ favour after Mamelodi Sundowns suffered a 3-2 defeat at TS Galaxy on Wednesday. Sundowns finish the season on 68 points, while the Buccaneers sit on 65 with two games remaining. Just four more points from their remaining fixtures would secure a first Betway Premiership crown since 2012, and even three points could be enough provided Pirates do not lose by more than seven goals in the other match. With a goal difference of +44 against Sundowns’ +36, the margin is comfortable, and Pirates’ three league losses this term have all come by a single goal, making a catastrophic swing implausible. Next up is a home clash with Durban City, offering a clear path to the finish line.
The title charge has been driven by the extraordinary form of Rele Mofokeng, the 21-year-old winger-cum-playmaker who is expected to be central to Bafana Bafana’s World Cup campaign in the Americas. His statistics this season—10 goals and eight assists from 25 league appearances—underscore why he is the frontrunner for Betway Premiership MVP if Pirates cross the line. With every performance, speculation intensifies over his next club destination, and a strong showing at the 2026 World Cup could attract serious suitors from Europe’s elite.
For Pirates, the question is not just when they can secure the points but whether they can retain their talisman for the run-in. Selling Mofokeng now to a wealthy European buyer would be a commercial decision, but one that could undermine the final push for glory. For now, the focus remains on the pitch, where two games stand between the club and a long-awaited return to the summit of South African football.