Record-Setting Beginnings: Squads Displaying Exceptional Early-Season Performance
FireCracker Orlando Pirates are cruising through the Premier Soccer League (PSL) table, winning their first six matches. We thought it'd be cool to check out which teams boasted the best starts in PSL history. Jose Riveiro's Pirates are the fifth team to pull off this feat, joining an elite group. Let's take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and see how other PSL clubs fared after such dazzling starts.
🏆 11 Wins: Mamelodi Sundowns (2023-24)
The six-time consecutive PSL champions, Sundowns, hold the record for the best start to a season, claiming an impressive 11 consecutive wins at the start of the 2023/24 season. Looking back, this unbeaten run stretched to 29 games and practically sealed the title within a few months. In August alone, they beat Sekhukhune (2-1), Kaizer Chiefs (2-1), Golden Arrows (4-0), Chippa United (2-0), Richard's Bay (1-0), and Polokwane City (2-0). After overpowering Orlando Pirates (1-0) and Stellenbosch (3-1) in September, SuperSport United (2-0) was their only challenge in November. December brought wins over AmaZulu (1-0) and Cape Town Spurs (3-0). At the brink of winter, Cape Town City disrupted their winning streak with a 0-0 draw. Having denied an undefeated season just before Christmas, City would later spoil their unbeaten run on the final day.
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🏆 8 Wins: Kaizer Chiefs (2014/15)
Hot on the heels of narrowly missing out on the title in the previous season, Stuart Baxter's Kaizer Chiefs began the 2014/15 campaign with a single-minded determination to win the Absa Premiership title. George Lebese's opening goal against Free State Stars set them off, with a 1-0 scoreline serving as a motif throughout the season. Amidst their eight-game winning streak, Chiefs never trailed once. By the end of August, they had added victories over Mpumalanga Black Aces (2-1), Bloem Celtic (1-0), Platinum Stars, and SuperSport United (both 2-0). September brought a two-goal effort from Yeye against Tuks (2-1), followed by 1-0 wins over Maritzburg United and Ajax, setting a then-PSL record. Their record stood for nine agonizing years.
🏆 6 Wins: Orlando Pirates (2002/03 & 2024/25)
Roy Barreto's Orlando Pirates became the first team in PSL history to win their opening six games in 2002/03, resulting in their eventual title win. Their defense was a formidable unit, led by Jimmy Tau, Lucky Lekgwathi, Mbulelo "OJ" Mabizela, Abednigo Netshiozwi, and goalkeeper Michael Babale. They kept five clean sheets in their opening six games. The season began in October with a 1-0 win over Manning Rangers. They followed with victories over Sundowns (2-0), Hellenic (2-0), and Black Leopards (3-1), with Tso Vilakazi and Lesley Manyathela scoring in three consecutive games. The six-match winning run concluded in style with wins over Ajax Cape Town (3-0) and Dynamos (2-0). Roger de Sa's Wits ended their streak (1-0), but ironically, Pirates clinched the title against Wits later in the season with a 1-1 draw, securing a seven-point lead over Moroka Swallows with one game remaining.
Twenty-two years later, Pirates equaled that record under Spanish coach Jose Riveiro. In a season that started slightly later than usual, they kicked off with a nail-biting 91st-minute victory over Chippa United, followed by a comfortable 3-0 win over Polokwane City the following week. Kabelo Dlamini's late goal against Richard's Bay secured their streak before wins over SuperSport United (2-0) and AmaZulu (2-1). With the PSL record in sight, the fans are hoping this run extends. Can Riveiro orchestrate another remarkable season for the Buccaneers?
🏆 5 Wins: Kaizer Chiefs (1996/97)
In the debut PSL season, Kaizer Chiefs became the only team to achieve a perfect five-game start, though they remarkably failed to lift the trophy. Chiefs were scorching in their first five games, scoring 15 goals while conceding just three. After a 1-0 away win over Jomo Cosmos, they beat Bloem Celtic (2-0) and Umtata Bush Bucks (1-0) by early September. Their 7-2 evisceration of Witbank Aces (who would ultimately finish last in the season) continued the momentum, followed by a 4-1 win over Cape Town Spurs. Their winning run ended with a 1-1 draw with SuperSport United. Desperate for a title, Chiefs went on to win only four of their next nine matches, leaving the door open for eventual champions Manning Rangers to seize the opportunity with a 3-1 victory.
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Orlando Pirates, powered by Jose Riveiro, have embarked on a journey to match the historic 8-game winning streak of Kaizer Chiefs in the 2014/15 season. The Pirates are currently holding a 5-game winning record, matching another Feat achieved by Kaizer Chiefs in the 1996/97 season. As they narrowly defeated Chippa United in their opening game, they followed it up with victories against Polokwane City, Richard's Bay, SuperSport United, and AmaZulu, demonstrating their potential to break the 8-game winning streak record and lift the PSL title, reminiscent of the 2002/03 season when they won their first 6 games. With the Pirates' season just getting started, fans and pundits alike are eager to see if Riveiro can orchestrate another remarkable season for the Buccaneers.
