Orlando Pirates win South Africa league title
- Published
Pirates are fans are celebrating their title success
Orlando Pirates won the South Africa league title on goal difference on the final day of the season on Saturday.
A goal six minutes from the time handed Piratesa 2-1 home win over Golden Arrows to seal their title win.
Their closest rivals Ajax Cape Town were held to a 2-2 draw by Maritzburg United which helped Pirates to clinch the title.
Ajax would have won the title with a home win and were on course with an overwhelming first-half performance.
They capped their impressive first half showing with a goal just before the break.
But an error by veteran goalkeeper Hans Vonk, playing the last game of his career, handed Maritzburg an equaliser in the 58th minute.
Defender Nazeer Allie handled in the penalty area soon after to allow Maritzburg to go 2-1 ahead.
Although Ajax got a late equaliser, they ran out of time in search of a winning goal and a victorious send off for their retiring coach Foppe de Haan.
Instead, Isaac Chansa's 84th minute winner for Pirates ensured the first title since 2003 for the Soweto giants.
Victroy for the side coached by former Dutch World Cup captain Ruud Krol secures them a place in next year's African Champions League.