There is an old saying that goes – numbers don’t lie and for Orlando Pirates this year, these numbers didn’t. It has been a year filled with records and personal milestones.
It has truly been an amazing year for the Mighty Buccaneers with Jose Riveiro at the helm. As the curtain of 2024 draws to a close, Orlandopiratesfc.com takes a look at the numbers behind Orlando Pirates’ impressive run in the 365 days of the year under the Spanish mentor.
Here is a snapshot of the year – in numbers:
4 – Tito Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng, Thalente Mbatha, and Sipho Chaine all earned their debut national team caps this year.
8 – Relebohile Mofokeng’s goal was the eighth that Orlando Pirates have scored from outside the box in the league this season, more than any other side and more than the Buccaneers had throughout last season (5). *Thanks OptaJabu for this insight.
10 – number of seconds it took Pirates to score in their victory over Marumo Gallants in the Betway Premiership on December 24.
12 – the difference in points that this years’ squad has achieved in the opening ten games of the Betway Premiership as compared to the 2023/24 season. The Class of 2024/25 season currently sit on 27 points having won 9 of their opening 10 matches. During this period, they have scored 22 goals and conceded only four times. Whereas the Class of 2023/24 season had 15 points from their 4 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses. During this period, they scored 11 goals and conceded 8 times.
14 – goal contributions (goals and assists) from Relebogile Mofokeng so far this season. The most in the team by any player in the squad.
41 – the number of competitive matches played by the club this year, with Orlando Pirates going on to win 28, draw 8 and lose only 5 times.
68 – winning percentage of the coach for the year of 2024.
72 – winning percentage for Jose Riveiro and his charges for 2024/25 season. The Buccaneers have been involved in 22 competitive games and so far they have won 16, drew 4 and lost 2 times.
87 – total goals scored throughout 2024, conceding only 27 times and keeping 18 clean sheets.
100 – this year we saw Jose Riveiro reach a personal milestone of 100 matches with the Club. He now sits on 106 competitive matches. 4 games more than his spell at his previous club FC Inter Turku (102 matches – 52 wins)
2010 – is the total number of minutes played by goalkeeper Sipho Chaine who has been an ever-present feature in the squad this season. During this period, 28-year-old has recorded 12 clean sheets in the process. Hot on the heels of Chaine is defender Thabiso Sesane who has recorded 1959 minutes.
17 000 000 – total prize money for clinching the Nedbank Cup and MTN8 titles in 2024. This total increases to R24 500 000 if Pirates second place finish in the league is included in the mix.
As we say goodbye to the year 2024 – from all of us at Orlando Pirates Football Club – we wish you a Happy and Prosperous 2025!!
Once Always
