Orlando Pirates have officially confirmed the four clubs they will face during their upcoming pre-season tour of Spain between the 11th and 19th of July, as preparations intensify ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The month of July marks the Buccaneers’ third consecutive pre-season trip to Spain, as they aim to build on last season’s performance in the Betway Premiership and other competitions.
The Buccaneers’ previous two pre-season tours to Spain proved fruitful, as the Soweto giants went on to secure multiple domestic trophies and made a significant impact in the CAF Champions League under then-head coach Jose Riveiro.
The Spanish tactician left the Soweto giants at the end of last season to join Egyptian giants Al Ahly. In his early days at Al Ahly, Riveiro has been involved in the ongoing 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with the Red Devils.
Riveiro has played two matches in the global club tournament so far, securing a goalless draw against Inter Miami before suffering a 2-0 defeat to the Brazilian side Palmeiras.
Meanwhile, Pirates are set to make a final decision on the new coach to take over the hot seat as a replacement for Riveiro.
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Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad Casablanca coach Rulani Mokwena is reportedly the hot favourite to take over the job.
The highly-rated coach could mark his second stint with the Sea Robbers, having spent time with the club between 2017 and 2019 as an assistant coach to Milutin Sredojevic. After the abrupt departure of Micho, Mokwena had a short spell as the interim coach of Pirates.
With Pirates returning from the off-season break next week, they confirmed four teams from England, Spain, and Cyprus as their opponents.
Their European tour begins on July 11 with a match against English club Bolton Wanderers. Just two days later, on July 13, they’ll go head-to-head with Pafos FC from Cyprus.
The intensity ramps up in the following week. Pirates are set to face two La Liga sides, starting with UD Las Palmas on July 17, a team recently promoted back to Spain’s top division. The tour wraps up on July 19 against Granada CF, another Spanish club known for its aggressive style and nurturing local talent.
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