Essential numbers for Pirates' league winning possibilities!

The vital figures relating to Orlando Pirates' history in the league in relation to their chances of ending 14 years of waiting to rule the championship have been placed on the table. Pirates were last in the queue to play their 10th league match of the season on Wednesday as they won 3-1 away at Golden Arrows. READ | Rising homeland interest in Chiefs striker The 10-game mark has traditionally been the one-third point in the league, and for 'The Buccaneers', they are on 22 points this year. There is no secret that the Ghost's priority this season is to lift the league. Even if they go on to lift their second trophy of the campaign next in the Carling Knockout, it is the league that they will desire most. They had a near-perfect start last term, only for serial winners Mamelodi Sundowns to then muscle their way to the winners' podium again with a commanding 12-point finish. Based on the figures below, Pirates are already certain to finish in the top three but now have it all to themselves to determine whether they will be first, second, or third. Whenever they have had at least 20 points after 10 games, they have been in the top three. Pirates' PSL record after 10 games plus their league finish: 1996/97 - 16 points - finished third 1997/98 - 20 points - finished third 1998/99 - 15 points - finished third 1999/00 - 21 points - finished second 2000/01 - 21 points - CHAMPIONS! 2001/02 - 15 points - finished third 2002/03 - 24 points - CHAMPIONS! 2003/04 - 19 points - finished fifth 2004/05 - 22 points - finished second 2005/06 - 24 points - finished second 2006/07 - 12 points - finished fifth 2007/08 - 13 points - finished eighth 2008/09 - 18 points - finished second 2009/10 - 18 points - finished fifth 2010/11 - 18 points - CHAMPIONS! 2011/12 - 15 points - CHAMPIONS! 2012/13 - 20 points - finished third 2013/14 - 17 points - finished fourth 2014/15 - 17 points - fourth 2015/16 - 12 points - finished seventh READ | Registration locknut held for PSL club 2016/17 - 17 points - finished eleventh 2017/18 - 14 points - finished second 2018/19 - 16 points - finished second 2019/20 - 13 points - finished third 2020/21 - 17 points - finished third 2021/22 - 14 points - finished sixth 2022/23 - 15 points - finished second 2023/24 - 13 points - finished second 2024/25 - 27 points - finished second 2025/26 - 22 points - ???