Orlando Pirates celebrate with the ASBA Premiership trophy

Orlando Pirates (Played 30, points 58) are the ASBA Premiership champions for the second consecutive year following their 4-2 win away at Lamontville Golden Arrows last weekend. A brace from Benni McCarthy proved crucial for one of South Africa's most decorated clubs, his two goals coming in the last half an hour of the game to help push his team over the winning post.

The 2011-12 South African football championship kicked off this weekend with defending champions Orlando Pirates celebrating an away win at Black Leopards while there were also wins for Kaizer Chiefs, Moroka Swallows, Bloemfontein Celtic and Platinum Stars. Three matches out of eight were drawn this weekend including the two Sunday fixtures.

Orlando Pirates sneaked the South African ABSA Premiership title by virtue of goal difference and cruelly denied Ajax Cape Town the championship in the process.

With two points separating Ajax, who led the table going into the final round of matches, from the Pirates it seemed that the former would clinch their maiden title, especially given that they were at home to Maritzburg United who were languishing in the bottom half of the table.

Thulani Serero scored both goals for Ajax Cape Town this weekend

South African football's biggest clubs and arch-rivals Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs lead the way in the ABSA Premiership with Ajax Cape Town close by hoping for them both to slip up in what could be one of the country's most exciting title races for years.