Defending Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates made the perfect start to their 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over league newcomers Milford FC at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Saturday Afternoon.
Goals from Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi ensured the Buccaneers collected all three points in front of a sold-out crowd in Soweto, beginning their quest for back-to-back league titles in impressive fashion.
Pirates dominated possession from the opening whistle and controlled large spells of the contest, although clear-cut opportunities were initially at a premium. Milford, making their Betway Premiership debut, showed moments of promise and forced Sipho Chaine into a couple of routine saves through long-range efforts.
The breakthrough arrived midway through the first half when Yanela Mbuthuma won a free-kick just outside the penalty area. Appollis stepped up and saw his strike take a telling deflection, wrong-footing goalkeeper Siphamandla Hleza before nestling in the back of the net.
The Buccaneers continued to dictate proceedings before the break, with Deon Hotto going close from a set-piece as Milford struggled to contain the defending champions.
Pirates resumed the second half with the same attacking intent. Although Milford defended resolutely, the home side continued to create opportunities, with Hleza producing a fine save to deny Tshepang Moremi.
The winger eventually got the goal his performance deserved with five minutes left on regulation time, after timing his run perfectly before rounding Hleza and calmly finishing to seal a deserved victory for the Buccaneers.
Following the match, Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou reserved special praise for Man of the Match Camren Dansin, urging patience as the club continues to nurture one of its brightest young prospects.
We’ve known Camren’s quality for some time. He was with us for most of last season and we’ve identified him as a special talent. That’s why we’ve introduced him step by step. People may wonder why it has taken time, but we knew exactly what we were doing.”
Ouaddou also called on the media and supporters to avoid placing unnecessary pressure on the youngster.
We have to protect him. He’s doing well, but he still has a lot of work ahead of him before reaching the highest level. He must remain humble, work hard and not get carried away by what people are saying. As coaches, it’s our responsibility to protect this talent and help him continue developing.”
Despite the defeat, Milford chairman and head coach Xanti Pupuma remained encouraged by his side’s performance and reiterated the club’s commitment to building with the squad that earned promotion.
We’re growing together with this group. The majority of these players came with us through the journey and we want to continue giving them opportunities. We haven’t rushed into making wholesale changes because we believe in the players who got us here
Pupuma also reaffirmed the club’s philosophy of prioritising local talent over foreign signings whenever possible.
We haven’t signed any foreign players because we want to give local boys from the Richards Bay area an opportunity to represent the club. If two players are at the same level, I’ll always choose the local player. That’s part of the identity we want to build at this football club.”
Although Milford left empty-handed on their top-flight debut, Pupuma believes the experience will serve as an important learning curve as they prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.
For Pirates, it was a professional and convincing performance that laid down an early marker as they began the defence of their Betway Premiership crown in winning fashion.
Image(s) : Orlando Pirates & Mazilitha