Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 July 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Friday, 24 July 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Orlando Pirates

Also known as: Orlando Pirates FC · the Pirates

South African Premiership club that won the 2026 league title, ending Mamelodi Sundowns' eight-year dominance.

2023-05-052026-07-24

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. April 2026
  2. The Namibian

    Orlando Pirates regained top spot in the South African Premiership by defeating fourth-placed AmaZulu 3-0 in Soweto on Saturday

    Source

    Orlando Pirates regained top spot in the South African Premiership on Saturday by defeating fourth-placed AmaZulu 3-0 in Soweto.

    Pirates beat AmaZulu to regain top spot in South Africa
  3. New Era

    Orlando Pirates defeated Blue Boys 6-4

    Source

    Young Brazilians stunned Dates Eleven 2-0, Orlando Pirates defeated Blue Boys 6-4 in a high-scoring affair, and Ramblers beat Celtic 2-0.

    Mariental SC tastes first defeat in SSFD
  4. The Namibian

    Orlando Pirates was held to a 2-2 draw by Richards Bay

    Source

    In their latest match, Pirates were held to a 2-2 draw by Richards Bay, who had fellow Namibian Tuli Nashixwa (23) in action.

    Hotto leads PSL assist chart
  5. The Namibian

    Orlando Pirates missed a chance to reclaim first place in the South African Premiership

    Source

    Orlando Pirates missed a chance to reclaim first place in the South African Premiership on Friday but salvaged a late 2-2 draw at mid-table Richards Bay.

    Pirates miss chance to regain top spot in South Africa
  6. The Namibian

    Orlando Pirates FC face downgrade following poor run in Southern Stream Division

    Source

    Orlando Pirates FC now face another downgrade following their poor run in the Namibia Football Association Southern Stream Division.

    Orlando Pirates face downgrade
  7. The Namibian

    Orlando Pirates FC are seated at bottom of first division log with 13 points

    Source

    Seated at the bottom of the first division log with a mere 13 points, Orlando Pirates FC will face equally troubled Blue Boys FC, who are languishing on the verge of the division's relegation zone with 16 points.

    Orlando Pirates face downgrade
  8. March 2026
  9. New Era

    Orlando Pirates hammered Namib Woestyn by four unanswered goals in the Yoko Tea Cup final

    Source

    He was in the starting lineup when the rejuvenated Pirates hammered pre-tournament favourites Namib Woestyn by four (4) unanswered goals in the rescheduled final of the annual Yoko Tea Cup, at the old Katutura stadium B-field.

    Tales of the Legends – Meet football’s forgotten man, ‘Jackal Trap’ John Awarab
  10. The Namibian

    Orlando Pirates are South African Premiership leaders with 41 points from 18 matches

    Source

    The top two both have 41 points from 18 matches with Pirates occupying first place because they have a plus-22 goal difference and Sundowns a plus-21.

    Rayners brace brings Sundowns level with leaders Pirates
  11. February 2026
  12. New Era

    Orlando Pirates will compete in Soweto Derby against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium

    Source

    Chiefs, one of the country's most decorated football institutions, will renew their fierce rivalry with Pirates in a sold-out showdown at the iconic FNB Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

    MTC eSIM winners set for Soweto derby experience
  13. The Namibian

    Orlando Pirates was turned into title-challenging side by chairman Hendrick Davids

    Source

    Davids, who revolutionised Namibian football with his management style, took over a struggling Pirates and turned them into a title-challenging side again.

    Wasserfall: The Pirates project and life after football
Sport

Stella Williams retires from Mighty Gunners Ladies at 48

The News

Veteran forward Stella Williams has retired from football after a career marked by leadership and passion for the game. Her final playing chapter was with Mighty Gunners Ladies FC, where she guided younger players and provided stability to the team.

16 July 2026 · New Era

Thursday 16 July

  1. Stella Williams retires from Mighty Gunners Ladies at 48

    Veteran forward Stella Williams has retired from football after a career marked by leadership and passion for the game. Her final playing chapter was with Mighty Gunners Ladies FC, where she guided younger players and provided stability to the team.

    16 July 2026 · New Era

Friday 10 July

  1. South Africa seeks new coach after Broos confirms exit

    Hugo Broos has confirmed his exit as South Africa's national football coach after the team's elimination from the 2026 World Cup. Multiple candidates, including Pitso Mosimane, have applied to succeed him, though the football federation may retain Broos in an advisory capacity.

    10 July 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 9 July

  1. Football analyst discusses Peter Shalulile's Mamelodi Sundowns exit

    Analyst Isack Hamata views Namibian striker Peter Shalulile's departure from Mamelodi Sundowns as a natural evolution driven by squad competition and tactical changes under a new technical team, rather than a forced exit, allowing the player to seek projects suited to his strengths.

    9 July 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 3 July

  1. Former Black Africa defender Awaseb switched from midfield

    Mike Awaseb, a prominent pre-independence defender for Black Africa, was initially recruited from Pirates as a midfielder before being converted to a defender by coach Herman 'Pele' Bashcke. The switch earned him a place on Black Africa's dominant team, though it cost him his family home after his father, a Pirates supporter, gave him an ultimatum to leave.

    3 July 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 2 July

  1. Namibian striker Shalulile exits Mamelodi Sundowns after six years

    Namibian international Peter Shalulile has parted ways with Mamelodi Sundowns after his contract expired on 30 June, ending a six-year spell at the South African club. The 32-year-old striker leaves as one of the club's greatest forwards, having won multiple Premiership titles and domestic trophies since arriving from Highlands Park in 2020.

    2 July 2026 · New Era

Saturday 27 June

  1. South Africa advances to World Cup knockout stage for first time

    Coach Hugo Broos's South Africa beat South Korea 1-0 to finish second in Group A and qualify for the World Cup knockout phase for the first time, ahead of a last-32 match against Canada in Los Angeles.

    27 June 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 19 June

  1. Retired Black Africa midfield star Mogane reflects on career

    Rusten Sukhile Mogane, a retired Black Africa midfield playmaker and Brave Warriors coach, reflects on his career highlights including leading Black Africa to cup victories and being selected for the South West Africa Currie Cup team at age 17 while still a pupil at Augustineum High School.

    19 June 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 26 May

  1. Deon Hotto wins first PSL title with Orlando Pirates

    Namibian forward Deon Hotto won his first South African Premiership Soccer League title as Orlando Pirates defeated Orbit College FC 2-0 on the final day of the season, marking the club's first league championship in 14 years and ending Mamelodi Sundowns' eight-year winning streak.

    26 May 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 23 May

  1. Orlando Pirates win South African Premiership after 14 years

    Orlando Pirates defeated Orbit College 2-0 through two own goals to win the South African Premiership, ending Mamelodi Sundowns' eight-season dominance and claiming their first title since 2012. The victory completed a domestic treble for Pirates under Moroccan coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.

    23 May 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Sundowns face FAR Rabat in richest African club championship final

    Mamelodi Sundowns defend a 1-0 lead over Moroccan hosts FAR Rabat in the CAF Champions League final second leg on Sunday, with the aggregate winners earning a record $6 million plus qualification to the 2029 Club World Cup with a minimum $9.5 million payout.

    23 May 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 18 May

  1. Namibian football mourns death of former Tigers defender Kumi Umati

    Johannes 'Kumi' Umati, a former Tigers and South West Africa player renowned for his defensive skill and fighting spirit, died in the capital on Tuesday. His death comes weeks after Tigers were relegated from the premiership and shortly after the death of another football great, Hans 'Alu' Hummel.

    18 May 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 16 May

  1. Orlando Pirates need final-match win to claim South African title

    Orlando Pirates drew 0-0 at home against Durban City and must win their final match to end a 14-year wait for the South African Premiership title, currently two points behind defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

    16 May 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 13 May

  1. TS Galaxy stun Sundowns; Pirates favour title contenders

    TS Galaxy defeated leaders Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 on Tuesday, a result that makes Orlando Pirates favourites to win the South African Premiership for the first time since 2012. Pirates have 65 points with two matches remaining and a superior goal difference over Sundowns, who finished with 68 points from 30 matches.

    13 May 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 3 May

  1. Sundowns extend South African league lead to five points

    Mamelodi Sundowns defeated Polokwane City 3-0 on Sunday, with Iqraam Rayners among the scorers, stretching their South African Premiership lead to five points with three matches remaining. Sundowns have 64 points and Orlando Pirates have 59 with a game in hand.

    3 May 2026 · The Namibian

Sunday 19 April

  1. Orlando Pirates regain South African Premiership lead

    Orlando Pirates defeated AmaZulu 3-0 to reclaim top spot in the South African Premiership with 58 points and five matches remaining, two points clear of Mamelodi Sundowns, who have two games in hand. The two clubs have been locked in a season-long battle for the title, with Pirates seeking their first championship since 2012.

    19 April 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 17 April

  1. Three NPFL teams vow strong comeback after relegation

    Tigers FC, Rundu Chiefs FC, and Life Fighters have been relegated from Namibia's Premier Football League and say they will return stronger. The team heads cited challenges including internal conflict, management issues, and referee decisions, but expressed confidence in rebuilding and regaining their elite status.

    17 April 2026 · New Era

Wednesday 15 April

  1. Mariental SC suffers first SSFD defeats after weekend losses

    Southern Stream First Division leaders Mariental SC lost twice in one weekend—2-1 to Try Again FC and 1-0 to Dates Eleven—but remain top of the log with 38 points. Head coach Marvin Mbakera said the defeats test the team's character but the club will respond positively, emphasizing that the title race is far from over.

    15 April 2026 · New Era

Tuesday 14 April

  1. Hotto leads South African Premier League assist chart with eight

    Namibian winger Deon Hotto is leading the South African Premier Division assist standings with eight, while playing as a left-back for Orlando Pirates. The 35-year-old has featured in 19 of the club's 24 league matches and has also scored one goal this season.

    14 April 2026 · The Namibian

  2. Namibia's oldest football club Tigers faces relegation

    Tigers Sport Club, founded in 1927, is mathematically unable to escape the Namibia Premier Football League drop zone following a 3–2 defeat to Eleven Arrows, marking the club's first-ever relegation in its 99th year. The club's fall reflects a broader decline of traditional powerhouses in Namibian football, attributed by analysts to failure to adapt to modern football demands and compounded by recruitment, discipline, and administrative issues.

    14 April 2026 · The Namibian

Saturday 11 April

  1. South African Pirates draw with Richards Bay in title chase

    Orlando Pirates drew 2-2 with Richards Bay on Friday, missing an opportunity to reclaim first place in the South African Premiership. Mamelodi Sundowns remain top with 56 points, one ahead of Pirates who have 55 from one more match.

    11 April 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 10 April

  1. Orlando Pirates FC faces demotion to second division

    Orlando Pirates FC, a formerly well-supported Namibian football club, now face potential demotion to the NFA's second division after poor performance in the Southern Stream Division's first division, where they sit at the bottom with 13 points.

    10 April 2026 · The Namibian

Thursday 2 April

  1. Issascar Goaseb, legendary footballer, dies at 78

    Issascar !Goaseb, a formidable midfielder who shaped Namibian football in the 1960s and 1970s through his time with Etosha Lions and Santos, has died at age 78. A native of Otjiwarongo, he was remembered as a tireless, competitive player and educator whose career intertwined with iconic moments in the country's sporting history.

    2 April 2026 · New Era

Friday 27 March

  1. Remembering John Awarab, Orlando Pirates' legendary fullback

    New Era profiles John Awarab, a long-serving fullback for Orlando Pirates who is remembered as a defensive cornerstone and Pirates legend. The article chronicles his nearly decade-long career, including a notable performance in the Yoko Tea Cup final, and his later years as squad depth before retirement in his late 30s.

    27 March 2026 · New Era

Thursday 19 March

  1. Hardap football team aims to reclaim Nedbank Cup glory

    Hardap region's football team is preparing with a new generation of players to compete in the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, their first major tournament push since finishing runners-up in past competitions. Coach Christi Guruseb says the team is training intensively and focused on improving their own performance despite facing tough opponents in group A.

    19 March 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 13 March

  1. Weekend sport fixtures: football, cricket, hockey, volleyball

    Namibia's sport calendar is filled with Namibia Premier Football League matches nearing conclusion with crucial title and relegation battles, 50-over cricket semifinals and final, and matches in indoor hockey and volleyball across multiple venues throughout the country.

    13 March 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 6 March

  1. Ex-goalkeeper Vries advises avoiding comparison with others

    Former Brave Warriors goalkeeper Virgil Vries, one of only three post-independence Namibian players to join South African giants Kaizer Chiefs, credits hard work, patience, discipline and consistency for his career achievements. He emphasises the importance of focusing on one's own journey rather than competing or comparing oneself with others, and now works in goalkeeper development at clubs in South Africa.

    6 March 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 2 March

  1. Rayners brace lifts Sundowns level with Pirates

    Iqraam Rayners scored twice off the bench as Mamelodi Sundowns beat Sekhukhune United 3-1 to draw level with South African Premiership leaders Orlando Pirates on 41 points, separated only by goal difference.

    2 March 2026 · The Namibian

Friday 27 February

  1. MTC eSIM customers win trip to Soweto Derby

    Six Namibian participants and sports journalist Marco Ndlovu won all-expenses-paid trips to South Africa to attend the Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium, after entering an MTC eSIM promotion draw.

    27 February 2026 · New Era

Thursday 19 February

  1. Young defender Katjirua aspires to Brave Warriors and beyond

    Snewe Uanguraije Katjirua, a student at Jan Möhr Secondary School, is developing as a left back for Bucks Buccaneers in the Namibia Premier Football League after progressing through youth football in Swakopmund and winning titles with CBS Talents. His ambitions include playing for South Africa's Orlando Pirates and representing Namibia's senior national team at the FIFA World Cup.

    19 February 2026 · New Era

Friday 13 February

  1. Former footballer Wasserfall finds fulfilment in port work

    Three-time Namibian Premier League winner Celestinus Wasserfall, who played for Chief Santos, Blue Waters and Orlando Pirates, has spent the past 15 years working as a heavy equipment operator at Namibian Ports Authority after a knee injury ended his playing career. Despite not realising his ambition to play professional football in Germany, Wasserfall says he is content with his secure job and life after football.

    13 February 2026 · The Namibian

Orlando Pirates — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute