Orlando Pirates will have another opportunity to chase a lucrative R100 million payday after confirming their place in next season’s CAF Champions League.
The Buccaneers secured qualification following Kaizer Chiefs’ defeat to Siwelele on Wednesday.
With Amakhosi trailing Pirates by 12 points and only four league matches remaining, they can no longer mathematically finish above their Soweto rivals, even if they win all their remaining fixtures.
Even in a hypothetical scenario where Chiefs win all four matches and Pirates lose theirs, both sides would finish level on 59 points. However, Buccaneers’ significantly superior goal difference currently close to 30 goals better would still see them finish ahead.
Can Pirates finally land R100 million?
Pirates entered this season’s CAF Champions League with high hopes but suffered an early exit, losing in the preliminary round to DR Congo outfit Saint Éloi Lupopo in a dramatic penalty shootout.
That disappointment marked a step backwards compared to the previous campaign, where the Buccaneers reached the semi-finals before falling to eventual champions Pyramids FC.
Despite their continental setback, the 2025/26 season has still been largely positive for the Sea Robbers under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
The club has already secured two domestic trophies, and a potential treble remains within reach if they win their remaining matches and Mamelodi Sundowns slip up.
Financially, Pirates have earned close to R20 million from their trophy successes so far however, the CAF Champions League prize, reportedly around R100 million, remains the ultimate target and could significantly boost the club’s finances.
Ouaddou’s side could also add a further R20 million to their earnings if they go on to clinch the Betway Premiership title.
