Orlando Pirates have officially touched down in Spain as they kick off their preparations for the 2025/26 season, with newly appointed Head Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou leading the charge, the club has confirmed.
The Buccaneers arrived at Malaga International Airport on Monday afternoon before making the short trip to Marbella, where they will be based for the next two weeks. This marks the Soweto giants’ third consecutive Spanish preseason tour.
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The 12-day camp is expected to be crucial for the team’s cohesion, as it offers the technical team an opportunity to integrate new signings and fine-tune preparations for what promises to be a demanding campaign. Assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi, as per the club’s official website, outlined the importance of the tour.
“We’ve just arrived in Spain after a long flight. Today is about recovery, but from tomorrow it’s all systems go. The upcoming season will be tough, so our preparation must cover all possible scenarios,” said Ncikazi, via the club's media department.
“Last season’s group played 52 matches—that kind of workload is only manageable with a well-planned pre-season. We have a new crop of players that we need to integrate into the group as quickly as possible.”
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As confirmed by the club, the technical team brought a 32-man squad to Spain, with several high-profile friendlies lined up to test the team’s readiness. First up is a match against English side Bolton Wanderers on July 11, followed by a clash with Cypriot champions Pafos FC on July 13.
The Buccaneers will then face La Liga outfit Las Palmas on July 17, before wrapping up their tour with a test against Granada on July 19.
Photo: Orlando Pirates on X.com
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