Orlando Pirates vs Al-Ittihad live updates: Follow Scores, lineups, team news, commentary

Orlando Pirates take on Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ittihad in a first-ever meeting between the two clubs, with the Banús Football Center in Marbella hosting one of the most eye-catching fixtures of the pre-season calendar on Tuesday.

Follow Orlando Pirates vs Al-Ittihad live here:

Abdeslam Ouaddou’s Buccaneers arrive full of confidence after a historic 2025/26 campaign that delivered the league title, the MTN8 and the Carling Knockout Cup, a treble no PSL side had managed before.

That domestic dominance was built on 32 wins from 44 matches, and the good form has carried into pre-season, with a draw against Córdoba followed by a 2-1 win over Cádiz in Spain.

Tshepang Moremi and Daniel Msendami were both on the scoresheet against Cádiz, an encouraging sign for a Pirates attack that has lost creative spark Relebohile Mofokeng to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise this summer.

Relebohile Mofokeng when he was unveiled by Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. Photo: Royale Union Saint-Gilloise

Seven new faces have arrived at Mayfair to help fill the gaps left by Mofokeng and several other departures, and Ouaddou is expected to rotate heavily with a trip to face Las Palmas following just 24 hours later.

Oswin Appollis remains the standout name in the Pirates ranks, and every pre-season outing is being watched closely amid reported interest from FC Porto.

Oswin Appollis of Orlando Pirates — Oswin Appollis. Image: Orlando Pirates

Al-Ittihad, by contrast, are looking to put a miserable 2025/26 behind them after finishing fifth in the Saudi Pro League, some 31 points off champions Al Nassr, and suffering an early exit from the AFC Champions League Elite.

New head coach Jens Wissing takes charge of a side he has barely had two weeks to work with, having arrived from Gamba Osaka off the back of an AFC Champions League Two triumph over Al Nassr.

The Jeddah club still boast serious individual quality up front, with Moussa Diaby, Youssef En-Nesyri and Houssem Aouar all capable of hurting a Pirates defence that is still bedding in new arrivals.

With no shared history between the sides, Tuesday’s friendly offers a clean slate, and both camps will treat it as a genuine measuring stick ahead of the new season.

Stay with Afrik-Foot South Africa for live updates, confirmed lineups and all the action from Marbella.