Pirates Cup
 | |
| Organising body | Orlando Pirates F.C. |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 |
| Region | South Africa |
| Number of teams | 54 |
| Current champions | Lerumo Lions (1st title) |
| Most successful team(s) | Orlando Pirates U/21 (3 titles) |
| Website | www |
 2025 | |
The Pirates Cup is an U/21 soccer tournament hosted annually by Orlando Pirates.[1]
The current champions are Lerumo Lions who defeated Orlando Pirates 1-0 in the final.[2]
History
The inaugural edition was founded in 2016.[3] Orlando Pirates won the first three editions of the tournament.
In 2019, the tournament started allowing U/21 teams from the PSL and the NFD to participate and increased the numbers of teams from 24 to 32 teams.[4] Orlando Pirates were defeated 1-0 in the final by SuperSport United making Matsatsantsa the first team other than the Buccaneers to win the tournament.[5]
Champions
| Year | Champions | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Orlando Pirates | |
| 2017 | Orlando Pirates | |
| 2018 | Orlando Pirates | |
| 2019 | SuperSport United | Orlando Pirates |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 | |
| 2021 | ||
| 2022 | Ambassadors FC | Bosso 90 |
| 2023 | Stars of Africa Football Academy | Orbit College |
| 2024 | University of Johannesburg[6] | Teltonika Amahle |
| 2025 | Lerumo Lions[2] | Orlando Pirates |
Project X
The best players at the tournament get to feature in the Project X team. Project X, is a developmental team formed by Orlando Pirates to develop its future stars and expose them to the highest level of football. The team has a yearly tour in which they play matches against some best academies.
The 2017 and 2019 Project X tours saw the team jet out to England.[7][8] In 2018, they toured Brazil.[9]
Awards
The following players were rated best:[10]
| Year | Golden Boot | Team | MVP | Team | Golden Glove | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | ||||||
| 2017 | ||||||
| 2018 | ||||||
| 2019 | Rodi Sibanda (12 goals) | Orlando Pirates | Reagan Appollis | SuperSport United | not awarded | |
| 2020 | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 | |||||
| 2021 | ||||||
| 2022 | Mehluleli Maphumulo | Ambassadors | Relebogile Ratomo | Transnet School of Excellence | not awarded | |
| 2023 | Lungile Mokoena | Amahle | Siyabulela Mabele | Orbit College | not awarded | |
| 2024 | Thokozani Sibanyoni | eMalahleni United | Mpendulo Phewa | Midlands Academy | Lungelo Sithole | University of Johannesburg |
| 2025 | Alfred Kwanele | eMalahleni United | Lucky Malatsi | Lerumo Lions | not awarded | |
Sponsor
The tournament is sponsored by:[11]
- Orlando Pirates (host)
- Vodacom
- adidas
- aQuelle
- Oppo
- Marriott Bonvoy
References
- ^ "Pirates Cup Group Stages Announced | Orlando Pirates Football Club". www.orlandopiratesfc.com. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
- ^ a b "New Champions Crowned in 2025 Pirates Cup - Orlando Pirates FC". www.orlandopiratesfc.com. 2025-04-21. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
- ^ "Pirates Cup is back! | Orlando Pirates Football Club". www.orlandopiratesfc.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- ^ "SSU Win Pirates Cup | Orlando Pirates Football Club". www.orlandopiratesfc.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- ^ "Pirates Cup Group Stages Announced | Orlando Pirates Football Club". www.orlandopiratesfc.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- ^ "UJ, JVW Crowned 2024 Pirates Cup Champions - Orlando Pirates FC". www.orlandopiratesfc.com. 2024-03-31. Retrieved 2025-04-21.
- ^ "Orlando Pirates' Project X 2019 to jet out to England". Sport. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- ^ "EXTRA TIME: Orlando Pirates Project X youth team in London | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 2017-05-05. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- ^ "EXTRA TIME: Watch Orlando Pirates youngsters on their way to Rio | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 2018-04-28. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- ^ "Stars of Africa, Tuks Ladies Crowned 2023 Pirates Cup Champions | Orlando Pirates Football Club". www.orlandopiratesfc.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- ^ "Orlando Pirates Cup 2023 – aQuellé". aquelle.co.za. Retrieved 2024-03-28.