The Pirates Cup is an U/21 soccer tournament hosted annually by Orlando Pirates.[1]

Pirates Cup
Organising bodyOrlando Pirates F.C.
Founded2016
RegionSouth Africa
Number of teams54
Current championsStars of Africa Football Academy
Most successful team(s)Orlando Pirates U/21 (3 titles)
Website[1]
2024

History

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The inaugural edition was founded in 2016.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]

Champions

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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

pandemic in South Africa

2021
2022 Ambassadors FC Bosso 90
2023 Stars of Africa Football Academy Orbit College
2024 University of Johannesburg FC Teltonika Amahle

Project X

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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.[5][6] In 2018, they toured Brazil.[7]

Awards

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The following players were rated best:[8]

Year Golden Boot Team MVP Team Golden Glove Team
2016
2017
2018
2019 Rodi Sibanda (12 goals) Orlando Pirates Reagan Appollis SuperSport United
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID-19

pandemic in South Africa

2021
2022 Mehluleli Maphumulo Ambassadors FC Relebogile Ratomo Transnet School of Excellence
2023 Lungile Mokoena Amahle FC Siyabulela Mabele Orbit College
2024 Thokozani Sibanyoni eMalahleni United Mpendulo Phewa Midlands Academy Lungelo Sithole University of Johannesburg FC
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The tournament is sponsored by:[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Pirates Cup Group Stages Announced | Orlando Pirates Football Club". www.orlandopiratesfc.com. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  2. ^ "Pirates Cup is back! | Orlando Pirates Football Club". www.orlandopiratesfc.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  3. ^ "SSU Win Pirates Cup | Orlando Pirates Football Club". www.orlandopiratesfc.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  4. ^ "Pirates Cup Group Stages Announced | Orlando Pirates Football Club". www.orlandopiratesfc.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  5. ^ "Orlando Pirates' Project X 2019 to jet out to England". Sport. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  6. ^ "EXTRA TIME: Orlando Pirates Project X youth team in London | Goal.com South Africa". www.goal.com. 2017-05-05. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "Stars of Africa, Tuks Ladies Crowned 2023 Pirates Cup Champions | Orlando Pirates Football Club". www.orlandopiratesfc.com. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
  9. ^ "Orlando Pirates Cup 2023 – aQuellé". aquelle.co.za. Retrieved 2024-03-28.