Orlando Pirates confirm pre-season fixtures against Spanish and Saudi sides

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Orlando Pirates confirm pre-season fixtures against Spanish and Saudi sides
Orlando Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou having a chat with players - Image Pirates

Orlando Pirates have confirmed the round of fixtures they will feature in during their pre-season tour of Spain.

Pirates are set to return to Spain yet again and they have confirmed that they will play five matches, three against Spanish sides and two against teams from Saudi Arabia.

The Premier Soccer League champions will open their pre-season schedule on July 15 with a match against Spanish second division side Cordoba at Marbella Football Centre in Malaga before taking on Cadiz, another Segunda Division side at a yet to be confirmed venue three days later.

Pirates to face Spanish trio in pre-season

Andre de Jong, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando Pirates.
Andre de Jong, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Abdeslam Ouaddou, Orlando Pirates. Image: Pirates

Pirates will head to Banus Football Centre on July 21 for a clash with Saudi Pro giants Al-Ittihad and then play Spanish second division club Las Palmas at Marbella the following day.

The Soweto giants will conclude their pre-season fixtures on July 24 with a clash against Saudi side Neom FC at Estepona Football Centre located in Malaga, Spain.

Cordoba finished ninth in the Spanish second division last season while Cadiz fared worse as they managed 18th place to escape relegation.

Saudi heavyweights to test Soweto giants

Orlando Pirates celebrate after winning the 2025-26 Betway Premiership title.
Orlando Pirates celebrate after winning the 2025-26 Betway Premiership title. Image: Orlando Pirates

Meanwhile, Las Palmas came close to sealing promotion to La Liga when they finished fifth and secured a playoff spot but were eliminated in the semi-final.

The three sides will give Pirates a run for their money but the Buccaneers will perhaps get tested more by Al-Ittihad, the 14-time Saudi champions, whose most recent Saudi Pro League titles were won in 2023 and 2025.

Al-Ittihad have the likes of Morocco striker Youssef En-Nesyri, French winger Moussa Diaby and Dutchman Steven Bergwijn among the big names in their squad.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a sports journalist covering South Africa, with 16 years in sports media and a Bachelor's Degree in Communication. Focused on football analysis and responsible gambling, his work has appeared on GOAL and Pulse Sports Kenya, and he is a regular football analyst on TV and radio.

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