Depth and discipline drive Orlando Pirates’ quadruple dream

Having already secured this season’s MTN8 and Carling Knockout titles, Orlando Pirates find themselves on the brink of history.

The Buccaneers are now chasing a clean sweep of domestic honours — a quadruple that has never been achieved in the PSL era.

It is a conversation that has surfaced before at Mayfair, often prematurely, and just as often ended in disappointment. Yet this season, the narrative feels markedly different. Previous Pirates sides buckled under the weight of expectation once the ‘quadruple’ tag emerged. Injuries, thin squads, and a reliance on a small core group of players often left them exposed when competing on multiple fronts.

This version of Pirates, however, looks purpose-built for the grind. They are undefeated in their last 12 matches across all competitions and, crucially, sit top of the Betway Premiership — a position they have not occupied at this stage of the campaign in many years. That alone speaks to consistency rather than short-term momentum.

Tuesday’s victory over AmaZulu further underlined their control of the league race. It was not just another three points, but another example of a side learning how to win while managing expectations.

That momentum now carries into Saturday’s Nedbank Cup clash against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in Durban, a competition Pirates have historically treated as a priority.

The difference this season lies in personnel and depth. Where cup runs once came at the expense of league form, Pirates now boast a squad capable of rotating without a visible drop in quality. With close to ten Bafana Bafana players in their ranks, the Buccaneers have a rare blend of experience, tactical intelligence, and individual brilliance.

Importantly, this is not a squad reliant on moments. Pirates can dominate matches, absorb pressure, or win ugly when required — traits essential for sustaining success across four competitions.

The Nedbank Cup presents its own dangers, while the Betway Premiership remains a marathon rather than a sprint.

Yet Pirates appear better equipped mentally than in previous attempts. They are no longer chasing history blindly; they are methodically placing themselves in positions to win. Quadruples are not claimed through ambition alone; they require patience, squad harmony, and an ability to reset after every success.

For the first time in the PSL era, Orlando Pirates seem to tick all those boxes. If there is ever a season for the impossible to become achievable, this might just be it.