Orlando Pirates 5s: Leveraging Legacy To Build A Professional Future For Five‑a‑Side Football
When Orlando Pirates 5s clinched their second consecutive 5quad League title with a dominant 4-0 victory over Saints 5s last weekend, the celebrations rippled far beyond the pitch at Marks Park Sports Club in Randburg. For one of South Africa's most historic football institutions, this back-to-back triumph represents more than silverware – it underscores a strategic pivot into five-a-side football that is reshaping pathways for players and redefining the club's footprint in a rapidly evolving sports economy.
The Tournament That Changed Everything
The 5quad League, Africa's premier five-a-side platform, concluded its latest season on July 20. The tournament drew crowds from across Gauteng, eager to witness high-intensity action from top teams battling for the R500,000 winner-takes-all prize. Orlando Pirates 5s showcased their dominance from the outset, dispatching Josta 5s with a clinical 4-0 win in the quarter-finals before cruising past Saints 5s with an identical scoreline in the final.
'Today showed exactly why we built 5quad,' said Nick Koka, Founder of 5quad to Forbes.com on the final day of competition. 'The fans created an electric atmosphere from start to finish. Seeing their passion reminds us that this format isn't just about the players – it's about the entire five-a-side community that's growing around it.'
For Conrad Botha, owner of Orlando Pirates 5s, the day felt surreal. 'I'm still pinching myself,' he admitted after the win to Forbes.com. 'Everyone puts in effort – me, the coaches, everyone in every angle. But you never actually think you're going to walk away with the prize. I'm so proud of these boys. They've worked hard leading up to this, they are a bunch of champions.'
From Backyard Game to Professional Sport
5quad League has emerged as Africa's most exciting and ambitious 5s tournament.
As one of South Africa's most storied clubs, Orlando Pirates has long been synonymous with top-flight 11-a-side football. Their foray into five-a-side, however, reflects a clear understanding of shifting consumer behaviours and emerging opportunities within global football.
For decades, five‑a‑side football existed largely in the shadows of mainstream football, limited to amateur leagues, recreational centres, and social tournaments. But with the 5quad League now offering a R500,000 winner‑takes‑all prize, the format is rapidly rebranding itself as a legitimate commercial platform .
Botha believes that's just the start: 'By next season, there's going to be transfers from this club to that club. There's going to be money involved. We've got contracts with our players already, but it's going to become a pro thing where there are top players earning top dollar.'
Looking ahead, he envisions a five‑a‑side landscape where former 11‑a‑side professionals enter the fold, bringing tactical experience, credibility, and appeal to fans and sponsors alike. The introduction of structured player agreements, appearance fees, short-term contracts, and even bonus mechanisms would begin to formalise participation. Over time, the establishment of modest transfer activity, where players move between clubs and agents negotiate terms, could lay the groundwork for a small‑scale transfer economy.
Crucially, Botha sees five‑a‑side evolving into a new post-career pathway. Retired PSL players and ex-pros could continue playing competitively in a faster-paced, less physically taxing format, yet under formal terms that offer earnings, visibility, and meaningful community connection.
If this trajectory unfolds, five‑a‑side will no longer be viewed as casual recreation. Instead, it could emerge asa professional sporting ecosystem: legally structured contracts, market-forced player movement, and respected clubs backed by legacy brands shaping the future of the game.
This inclusivity and adaptability are why clubs like Pirates are doubling down on small-sided formats. They recognise five-a-side as a complementary ecosystem to traditional football, unlocking pathways for overlooked talent while strengthening their community footprint.
Business Strategy Beyond the Pitch
Orlando Pirates 5s cemented their dominance as back-to-back champions following a commanding 4-0 ... More victory over Saints 5s at Marks Park Sports Club in Randburg.
Orlando Pirates 5s operates with the discipline and structure of a professional outfit. The team trains Monday to Friday, with sessions from 9:30 to 11 am, followed by recovery, ice baths, and bio sessions. Fridays are reserved for lighter conditioning to ensure players remain fresh for upcoming tournaments.
But the team's ambitions extend far beyond South Africa's borders. They have their eyes set on international competition, including upcoming tournaments in Dubai, Mexico, and Greece.
'We're excited for Dubai,' Botha shared. 'I was there for the first time about a month ago – it blew my mind. We want to go abroad now and show the world. Be the greatest around.'
Building the Commercial Engine
The professionalisation of five-a-side football goes beyond just player salaries and prize money. It offers a chance to establish a more extensive commercial ecosystem that includes sponsorships, merchandising, branded content, and social impact programs.
Botha and his team are looking into ways to take the game on the road, organising tournaments in new communities throughout South Africa. 'Our next initiative is to plan a road trip around the country. We want to engage a few major sponsors and say, 'We're coming to your neighbourhood, can you challenge us?' For example, the best club in Bloemfontein could have a prize of 20,000 or even 30,000 rand.'
This approach provides brands with a flexible, community-driven platform that enables hyperlocal engagement, a strategy that is increasingly valuable in sports sponsorship.
A Movement Rooted in Brotherhood
Despite its commercial promise, five-a-side remains deeply rooted in camaraderie and community. Botha emphasises the importance of preserving team bonds as money and opportunities flow into the space. 'They must keep their bond, their brotherhood. Because when money starts flying and is involved, before you know it, things can change.'
5quad League offers retired professionals and aspiring players a fresh, high‑stakes take on the game ... More they love
Reflecting on his seven years as owner, Botha described the most rewarding aspect of his journey: 'Winning is an amazing feeling. But giving these guys opportunities, trying to make this a professional sport where they can go home and feed their families, that's what matters.'
The Future of Five-a-Side in Africa
As five-a-side football evolves into a professional sport, Orlando Pirates 5s serves as a model for other legacy clubs across Africa. Their success illustrates how traditional football institutions can innovate by investing in adjacent formats that enhance brand equity, expand talent pipelines, and future-proof their organisations.
In the words of Botha, 'Whatever I can do to make the club shine, I'm here to do it.'
For Orlando Pirates, this is just the beginning. As they aim for global tournaments and professionalisation, they are not merely building a five-a-side team; they are shaping the future of African football, one small-sided pitch at a time.
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