Orlando Pirates have officially kicked off their pre-season preparations in Spain, with the squad arriving at the Marbella Football Center for an intensive two-week training camp under new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
The camp marks the beginning of a new era for the Buccaneers as Ouaddou gets his first opportunity to work closely with his players ahead of the 2026/27 season. With ambitions of defending their Betway Premiership title and competing strongly across all competitions, the focus will be on building fitness, strengthening team chemistry, and implementing the coach’s tactical philosophy.
Ouaddou has travelled with a 32-man squad, combining experienced first-team stars with several exciting academy graduates. Young talents including Cristian Derbyshire, Mpho Padime, Simphiwe Masilela, and Neo Rapoo have been given the opportunity to impress during the camp, underlining the club’s continued commitment to developing homegrown talent.
The Buccaneers will test themselves against quality opposition, with five pre-season friendlies scheduled against clubs from Spain and Saudi Arabia. Their opening fixture is set for 15 July against CΓ³rdoba CF, providing an early opportunity for Ouaddou to assess his squad in competitive action.
Training got underway immediately after the team’s arrival, with players put through high-intensity sessions on Marbella’s world-class pitches before moving into the state-of-the-art gym facilities. The atmosphere appeared positive as the squad embraced the demands of pre-season and the fresh direction under their new coach.
Away from the training ground, excitement among supporters continues to build after the club teased the opening of a new Orlando Pirates retail store. Fans have also praised the inclusion of several promising youngsters in the travelling squad, viewing it as another sign of the club’s strong youth development pathway.
With a new coach at the helm, emerging talent eager to make an impression, and an important pre-season schedule ahead, Orlando Pirates will be hoping their time in Marbella lays the foundation for another successful campaign.
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