Orlando Pirates are set to face Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad FC in a pre-season friendly in preparation for the highly-anticipated 2026/27 season.
The Buccaneers will face Al Ittihad as part of their tour to Spain, which has been the pre-season base for the club in the past four years.
Pirates will utilise the world-class Marbella Football Centre for the fifth time in a row, as the Spain tour has proven to be fruitful for the club, as they have dominated the domestic trophies in the past few seasons.
The Soweto giants have won four successive MTN8 titles and the Betway Premiership trophy last season, which ended their 14-year drought without winning the league.
With Pirates looking to defend their league title and have a significant chase for other major trophies such as the CAF Champions League, they secured a high-profile friendly against Al Ittihad, which is aimed at drilling the team for the new season’s challenge.
PIRATES WILL FACE AL ATTIHAD ON THE 21ST OF JULY
The Saudi Arabian outfit confirmed in their meeting with Orlando Pirates on their Instagram page with the match schedule for the 21st of July 2026.
The other pre-season fixtures for Pirates during their visit to Marbella are yet to be officially confirmed. In the past few years, the Ghosts faced high-profile clubs such as Spanish La Liga side Sevilla, Granada, and Pafos FC, amongst many others.
Meanwhile, Pirates have also been active on the transfer market with the recruitment of new players while also releasing a handful of first-team stars.
The Sea Robbers have signed Neo Rapoo, Matome Mmolai, Ghampani Lungu, Mthetheleli Mthiyane, Sbangani Zulu, and Bohlale Ngwato to beef up their squad.
On the other hand, Pirates have parted ways with Thabiso Sesane, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Sipho Mbule, Karim Kimvuidi, Gilberto, Selaelo Rasebotja, Siyabonga Ndlozi, Seth Green, Blessing Ngiba, Sonwabo Khumalo, Bandile Shandu, Thabiso Lebitso, Gomolemo Khoto, while Relebohile Mofokeng has completed a transfer move to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium.
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