Orlando Pirates News Today: Ouaddou disappointed, transfer updates & more

Latest Orlando Pirates news in the last 24 hours, including Premier Soccer League clubs being urged to emulate Bucs, Abdeslam Ouaddou disappointed after recent outing and more.

PSL teams challenged to emulate Pirates

Augusto Palacios has advised other PSL clubs to take a leaf out of Orlando Pirates’ book when it comes to using their DStv Diski Challenge teams to their benefit.

The Buccaneers’ reserve side has produced top young talent for their first team, who end up signing with teams abroad.

Palacios: Pirates understand how DDC should work

Augusto Palacios has advised other PSL clubs to take a leaf out of Orlando Pirates' book when it comes to using their DStv Diski Challenge teams to their benefit.

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— KickOff Online (@KickOffMagazine) July 19, 2026

Relebohile Mofokeng, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Mohau Nkota, and Lyle Foster are some of the notable names the Pirates DDC team put in the limelight.

“Let’s mix the senior players with the young players; we need to provide opportunity, DDC gives a good platform for players,” Palacios told KickOff.

“We saw with Pirates how many of their players came from the DDC. The only thing I would advise the PSL teams is to allow at least seven of their DDC team players to train with the first team. That way they will learn how to train as a professional player every day.

“At Pirates, a player comes to the DDC, performs well for two years, gets promoted, makes the national team, it’s a good investment. I believe every club can do it. They can learn from Pirates.

“Scout for a player, give him an opportunity, it benefits the club, and it benefits the player’s family. Sometimes our clubs play a young player in one game, and the next game he is not in the line-up.”

Are Pirates getting it right in pre-season? Ouaddou responds

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has delivered his verdict on his side’s pre-season progress following their opening two friendly matches in Spain, expressing satisfaction with how the squad is shaping up.

So far in Marbella, where they are camped, they have played two friendly matches, first drawing 1-1 with Spanish Segunda Division side Cordoba CF, before edging Cadiz CF 2-1 on Saturday. Players who have been handed playing opportunities in those games include defender Mpho Chabatsane, goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla, Boitumelo Radiopane, who scored against Cordoba CF and winger Daniel Msendami, who was on target against Cadiz.

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has delivered his verdict on his side's pre-season progress following their opening two friendly matches in Spain, expressing satisfaction with how the squad is shaping up.#FARPosthttps://t.co/Xq8XWrh5uu

— FARPost (@FARPostZA) July 19, 2026

Also afforded a run by Ouaddou are new signings Matome Mmolai, Neo Rapoo, Mthetheleli Mthiyane, Bohlale Ngwato, Sbangani Zulu and Gamphani Lungu. Players who were promoted from the club’s DStv Diski Challenge side, like Christian Derbyshire, Simphiwe Masilela and Mpho Padime, have also tasted action.

Having assessed his men so far, Ouaddou is a satisfied man, noting that the players are gelling into the cohesive unit he desires and that they “are cruising nicely.”

“I think the players gave me really good answers [against Cadiz]. We can see that step by step, we are increasing the intensity. We are close to the intensity of the league, and we are starting in two weeks,” Ouaddou said on SuperSportBET.

“So, I have seen a lot of interesting things, firstly, defensively and team spirit. The aim is to have this compactness, to be aggressive to the opponent on one side, and to recover the ball in terms of defensive animation.

“We have seen some good transitions as well. We have scored in transition. The fact that we have played many players because in the previous game [against Cordoba], we played one team, and again we gave chances to some players, now with one hour.

“Step by step, the objective is to come close to 90 minutes, and in the next games, we are starting to give more game time to [more] players. Overall, I’m very happy with what I have seen, very good team spirit,” the former Fulham defender continued.

“When we came here to Spain, we knew that we were not going to face easy games. All the Spanish teams are able to play. They have a very strong physical side, and I think my team gave me very good answers. It’s what we are going to face in the PSL. So I think we are cruising nicely, and we are just going to give some rest to the players, and I’m very happy.

“Maybe if I’m to be a bit disappointed, it’s how we started the game [against Cádiz CF], the first 10 minutes, and I said to the guys, we are close to starting the league, and we need to concentrate since the beginning of games,” added Ouaddou.

“We have to start with high intensity and be focused. Unfortunately, we were not focused in the first 10 minutes. We conceded a goal. For me, as an ex-defender, when I conceded a goal, I’m not happy at all. But let’s keep going with our preparations,” he concluded.