The 2020–21 season was Orlando Pirates F.C. 25th season in the South African Premier Division, the highest division of South African football league system. Orlando Pirates F.C. participated in the MTN 8 Cup, CAF Confederation Cup and the Nedbank Cup.
Review and events
Orlando Pirates F.C. won the MTN 8 cup and finished 3rd in the 2020–21 DStv Premiership and Qualified for the 2021-22 CAF Confederation Cup following Kaizer Chiefs loss to Egyptian Club Al Ahly SC in the 2020-21 CAF Champions League final. The team also reached the quarter-finals of the 2020-21 CAF Confederation Cup but were knocked out by Moroccan Club Raja Casablanca and eventual winners of the 2020-21 CAF Confederation Cup. In the Nedbank Cup, Orlando Pirates F.C. was knocked out by Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. The MTN 8 Triumph ended Orlando Pirates F.C. almost 6 year trophy drought since last winning a major cup in 2014, by winning the 2013–14 Nedbank Cup.
Players
First team squad
Competitions
DStv Premiership
Orlando Pirates F.C. finished the season 3rd, and qualified for the 2021-22 CAF Confederation Cup .
MTN 8 Cup
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
1st Leg
2nd Leg
Orlando Pirates won 5–0 on aggregate
Final
Luthuli scores his goal after a corner kick for Bloemfontein Celtic in the 4th minute. Orlando Pirates player Thabang Monare received an injury and was replaced by Thembinkosi lorch. In the 32nd minute, Hotto levels the matter for Orlando Pirates and the score was 1–1. After half time Thembinkosi lorch was fouled in the box and the referee called for a penalty in which was taken by lorch and made it 2–1 for Pirates scoring his second goal in the competition. The match ended in 2–1 and Pirates took the trophy ending their six-year trophy drought.
Nedbank Cup
Second round
Orlando Pirates F.C. entered the second Round as by competitions rules that all 16 Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs start the competition at the second round.
Orlando Pirates was drawn with National First Division (NFD) club Uthongathi F.C.
Third round
Quarter-finals
Orlando Pirates journey came to an end as they were eliminated by Mamelodi Sundowns.
International Competitions
CAF Confederation Cup Orlando Pirates F.C. entered the 2020-21 CAF Confederation Cup first round, as they had 8pts from the 2018-19 CAF Champions League run.
First round
Orlando Pirates won on walkover after Sagrada Esperança withdrew from the second leg in South Africa citing health concerns caused due to the new COVID-19 variant.
Play-off round
Orlando Pirates won 4–0 on aggregate
Group stage Orlando Pirates F.C. were drawn into group A, after securing a slot from the play-off round.
Group A
Orlando Pirates F.C. finished the group as Runners-up.
Quarter-finals
Raja Casablanca won 5–1 on aggregate.
Summary Orlando Pirates F.C. CAF Confederation Cup run came to an end after being eliminated by Moroccan Club Raja Casablanca.
Club awards
Orlando Pirates F.C. Season Awards :
Player of the Season - Deon Hotto and Vincent Pule (Tie)
Fan's player of the season - Deon Hotto and Vincent Pule (Tie)
Golden Boot Winner - Vincent Pule (9 goals in all competitions )
Prospect of the Season - Boitumelo Radiopane (MDC)
Goal of the Season - Vincent Pule on the turn vs Kaizer Chiefs F.C.
Save of the Season - Last minute save by Richard Ofori vs Bloemfontein Celtic F.C.
Notes
References