Pirates’ patchy record in Carling Knockout competition

Orlando Pirates will compete in their 10th final in the Carling Knockout on Saturday when they take on Marumo Gallants in Polokwane, but it is a competition they have won once in their illustrious history since it was first staged in 1982.

Along the way, there have been some shock defeats in the decider, not least to young Ajax Cape Town in 2000, Platinum Stars in 2013, and unfancied Baroka in 2018.

Their single Carling Knockout victory came in 2011 when they beat BidVest Wits 3-1 in the final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, thanks to goals from Thulasizwe Mbuyane, Daine Klate, and Isaac Chansa.

But for the rest, there has been little cheer, despite their numerous final appearances.

They lost to Bush Bucks in 1987, then to Mamelodi Sundowns in 1990. It took five years to return to the final, and this time it was Wits who beat them 1-0 in 1995 at Soccer City.

They were then stunned by Ajax 4-1 in a replay of the 2000 decider, and lost to Ajax again in 2008 and bitter rivals Kaizer Chiefs in 2010.

There was some respite with that 2011 success, but normal service resumed after that with shock final losses to Platinum Stars and Baroka.

There is no real explanation for why their conversion rate is so poor. In the PSL era, particularly, they have got past the first round in 20 of the 26 competitions played since the 1996/97 season, taking into account the fact that there has been no trophy on offer between 2020 and 2022.

They have exited in the quarterfinals six times (23 per cent of the time), and in the semifinals on eight occasions (31 per cent). Their six final appearances (23 per cent) in the PSL era have yielded just that one win.

In all, Pirates have played 82 games in the League Cup since 1996/97, winning 44, drawing 20, and losing 18. They have scored 131 goals and conceded 84.