Orlando Pirates in the CAF Champions League - History & Achievements

John Eastwood

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Last updated: 26 May 2025

John Eastwood 26 May 2025

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Orlando Pirates won the CAF Champions League in 1995.
Key achievement: First South African club to win the title.
Recent resurgence under José Riveiro led to 2025 semi-finals.

Pirates reached 2025 CAF Champions League semi-finals before losing to Pyramids FC (Getty Images).

Introduction

Orlando Pirates, one of South Africa’s oldest and most storied football clubs, have a rich history in the CAF Champions League. Bucs' most significant achievement in Africa’s premier club competition was clinching the title in 1995.
Introduction
1995 Glory
Resurgence Under Riveiro
Pirates' Full Historical Record

That victory made them the first South African club to win the competition as caretaker coach Ronald Mkhandawire led the club to glory.

1995 Glory

Pirates defeated ASEC Mimosas of Côte d'Ivoire in the final, securing a 3–2 aggregate victory. This triumph not only marked a milestone for the club but also elevated South African football on the continental stage after the end of apartheid.

In the first leg at home, the head coach was Joe Frinckleton. He was sacked after the firs leg ended 2-2 after failling out with the club's management. Captain Innocent Mncwango was red carded in that first leg too.

In the return fixture in Abidjan, the assistant coach Ronald Mkhandawire took charge of the team. Vice captain, Edward Motale lifted the trophy after Jerry Sikhosana's goal sealed a 1-0 victory.

In subsequent years, the Pirates have experienced varying degrees of success in the tournament but have never won another crown. They reached the final again in 2013 as they came up against Al Ahly of Egypt. The first leg in Johannesburg ended in a 1–1 draw, but the Pirates were defeated 2–0 in the return leg in Cairo, resulting in a 3–1 aggregate defeat.

Resurgence Under Riveiro

Throughout the years, the Pirates have made the group stage and knockout rounds with regularlity. In recent seasons, the club has seen a resurgence under Spanish coach José Riveiro, who took over in 2022 before departing in May 2025 after three season.

Riveiro has led the team to five domestic cup titles and took them to the semi-finals in the 2024-25 edition of the CAF Champions League.

The Sea Robbers made an unbeaten run to the semi-finals, topping Group C with 14 points before defeating MC Alger 1-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals.

Bucs' hopes of reaching the final were dashed by a 3-2 defeat away to Pyramids FC in the second leg having led 2-1 at one point in Cairo.

Pirates' participation in the CAF Champions League keeps their profile high on the continent but they will want to end their 30-year wait to win a "second star".

Pirates' Full Historical Record

Year	Stage Reached	Details
1995	Champions	First South African club to win the tournament; defeated ASEC Mimosas 3-2 on aggregate in the final.
1996	Quarter-Finals	Title defence ended in the last eight.
1997	Group Stage	First participation under the new group stage format.
2002	Second Round	Eliminated before the group stage.
2004	Second Round	Another early exit in the second round.
2006	Semi-Finals	Reached the last four, marking their best performance since 1995.
2010	Preliminary Round	Eliminated early in the competition.
2012	Preliminary Round	Another exit in the qualifying rounds.
2013	Runners-Up	Reached the final but lost 3-1 on aggregate to Al Ahly.
2019	Group Stage	Returned to the group stage after a five-year absence.
2020	Preliminary Round	Eliminated in the preliminary round.
2024	Preliminary Round	Knocked out early in the competition.
2025	Semi-Finals	Lost 3-2 on aggregate to Pyramids FC.