X-Nico

4 unusual facts about Orlando Pirates


2001 in South African sport

11 April - The Ellis Park Stadium Disaster, the worst sporting accident in South African history, resulted in 43 deaths at Ellis Park Stadium in the city of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa during the local derby football match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

Freedom Neruda

On 18 December 1995, La Voie ran an article on the Ivorian ASEC Mimosas's loss to the South African Orlando Pirates in the finals of football's CAF Champions League.

Irvin Khoza

Nicknamed "Iron Duke / Squveve", he is the Chairman of Orlando Pirates Football Club, Chairman of the South African Premier Soccer League and by virtue of this, Vice-President of the South African Football Association.

Vusi Lamola

He was nicknamed "Computer" during the 1973 Life Cup final against Orlando Pirates when he replaced Ace Ntsoelengoe in the 80th minute.


Gordon Igesund

He followed this up in the 2000/01 season with another title, this time at the helm of Soweto giants Orlando Pirates.

Jabu Mahlangu

But Irvin Khoza, chairman of Orlando Pirates, decided to take a chance on the former South Africa international, who has been kicked out at his three previous clubs.

Kaizer Motaung

Born in the Orlando East section of Soweto, Motaung first played professional soccer at the age of 16, for the Orlando Pirates.

Sizwe Motaung

Sizwe Motaung (7 January 1970 – 16 August 2001) was a South African football player who played for Jomo Cosmos, Mamelodi Sundowns, St. Gallen, CD Tenerife, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, as well at international level for the national side.


see also

1997–98 Premier Soccer League

Before losing to Santos on the final day, African Wanderers had managed to hold Soweto giants Orlando Pirates to a goalless draw, leaving them confident of securing the result required against Santos to ensure their status as a PSL club.

Dennis Lota

Upon leaving FC Sion, Lota joined Orlando Pirates where his prowess in front of the goal and particularly his celebration (rubbing his palms against each other), earned him the nickname "Chesa Mpama" (loosely translated as "hot slap" in Zulu, one of the 11 official languages in South Africa.

Kaizer Motaung

In addition, Motaung co-founded (with Orlando Pirates' Irvin Khoza) the South African Premier League (PSL) in 1996, which helped bring more sponsors and money into South African professional soccer.