Orlando Pirates have officially arrived in Spain to begin their preparations for the 2025/26season.
The first team touched down at Málaga International Airport this afternoon before making the short journey to the coastal city of Marbella, where they will be based for the next two weeks.
With newly appointed Head Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou at the helm, the Buccaneers will use the 12-day camp to build cohesion, integrate new signings, and lay the groundwork for what promises to be another demanding campaign.
Speaking to Orlandopiratesfc.com, assistant coach Mandla Ncikazi said: “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.
Last season’s group played 52 matches—that kind of workload is only manageable with a well-planned preseason.”
Ncikazi added, “We have a new crop of players that we need to integrate into the group asquickly as possible.”
The technical team has brought a 32-man squad to Marbella, with a series of high-intensity friendlies lined up to test the team’s readiness.
First up is a clash against English side Bolton Wanderers on July 11, followed by a showdown with newly crowned Cypriot championsPafos FC on July 13. The tour continues with fixtures against La Liga outfit Las Palmas on July 17, before concluding with a test against Granada on July 19.
Stay tuned to the Buccaneers’ official social media channels for exclusive content, match updates, and behind-the-scenes coverage throughout their third consecutive Spanish Preseason Tour.
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