Orlando Pirates Reserves Crowned DDC Champions
Orlando Pirates Reserves carved their names in history by clinching the DStv Diski Challenge title after a 2-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in their title decider on Saturday.
The Class of 2026 became the first Bucs outfit to triumph in the DDC after finishing top of the standings with a record 75 points. They bagged their 24th victory of what has been an impressive campaign against what was their remaining title rivals, following a commanding performance amid an electric atmosphere in the heart of Soweto.
Stationed at the summit of the table in the lead up to the decisive fixture, the young Buccaneers only needed to avoid defeat in order to secure the title. They withstood an early storm from their visitors, with goalkeeper Bayanda Zulu called upon to keep out an effort from a direct free kick taken in front of goal. This was before being awarded a set piece of their own in the 15th minute, with Jabulani Mokone blasting wide when he went for goal.
What was a physical encounter resulted in a forced change for Pirates, who lost Joy Manana to injury with Lyle Chatburn brought on in his place. A foul on the replacement forward led to a sustained period of pressure from the home side, as they pinned the Sundowns defence deep into their own half.
The pressure eventually told as the Buccaneers opened the scoring through centre-back Christian Derbyshire who headed in from close range to make it 1-0 with three minutes left until the break.
There was no taking the foot off the pedal from the home side despite being in the lead, and they had a golden opportunity to add their second on the day when Oratile Rantasi was brought down inside the box. The referee duly pointed to the penalty spot with Mpho Padime stepping up and converting calmly to extend the advantage in additional time.
Facing an uphill climb in their bid to claw their way back into the contest, Sundowns emerged from the tunnel with renewed vigour. They encountered a determined defensive effort from Pirates, with Derbyshire and Moses Mphekgoane leading the charge.
A rare lapse in concentration nearly allowed Bennet Mokoena in for an easy tap-in, but the striker spurned the opportunity when he failed to make a connection in front of the gaping goal.
The momentum remained with the young Brazilians until the dying moments when Seth Green found a way past the defence, beating goalkeeper Nqobani Biyela before he was fouled by Malibongwe Khoza. This resulted in another penalty, taken by Mokone who failed to make it three as the shot-stopper pulled off an excellent save.
The effects of that miss were not felt profoundly, with Pirates eventually crowned champions when the final whistle sounded.
This brought to an end a remarkable season for the Bucs Reserves who finally clinched the coveted title, doing so in fine style as they boasted the highest points tally in the competitions’ history.