Orlando Pirates are gearing up for an ambitious pre-season training camp in Spain, where they are scheduled to play friendly matches against notable teams from La Liga and England.
Bucs will face Spanish giants Sevilla FC and English Championship side Plymouth Argyle FC, led by former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
The international exposure is particularly significant for young talent like Relebohile Mofokeng, whose potential move to Europe could be influenced by his performances during this tour.
READ: From Sundowns' Bench To Europe
In an exclusive interview with Soccer Laduma, former Pirates midfielder Teboho "Tebza" Moloi highlighted the importance of these matches in assessing Mofokeng's readiness for European football.
"You know it's always good to have young players having the experience to play in Europe for their pre-season. Though honestly speaking two or three games are not enough. Yet, he will be able to play against top players from both England and Spain and gauge his readiness for a move to Europe. He will be exposed to a good training environment and atmosphere which he could eventually experience when the time for him to move to Europe comes. So, this is a great chance for him," Moloi told the Siya crew.
Moloi emphasized the unique learning opportunity presented by the pre-season tour, not just for Mofokeng but for the entire team.
"He will also play against a club coached by one of the greatest strikers to have come out of this and that on its own is a plus as he will be able to meet with greatness and learn from him. It's not always that you meet and play against the greatest strikers or players in the world. It's an opportunity you can't lose but use it to the best of your ability and Mofokeng as well as the whole team have their chance," Moloi told Soccer Laduma.
The former Pirates assistant coach also noted the broader benefits of such a pre-season tour for the team's overall development.
READ: Goss' Sundowns Showdown!
"The training there is at another level and it's good for the whole team. If you look at how they played after coming back from there last season you can see that there is maturity in the team and they learnt how to make it in the knockout tournaments as well. I think it will also help them on how to remain consistent and eventually fight for the league title and not only the knockout competitions. And finally it will help everybody in the team to gauge themselves ahead of the forthcoming season," the Pirates legend observed.
This upcoming tour is not just about individual development but also about strengthening the team's cohesion and preparing them comprehensively for the challenges of the upcoming season.
"Such experiences are crucial for building team spirit and unity, as well as for helping players adjust to different playing conditions and styles. It's an excellent opportunity for the team to bond, learn, and prepare for a successful season ahead," Moloi concluded.
As Pirates prepare to embark on this exciting pre-season journey, all eyes will be on how well they adapt and what new strategies they bring back home. For young stars like Mofokeng, it's a golden chance to showcase their talent on an international stage and make a case for their future in European football.
