Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates are set to square off against Saudi Pro League heavyweights Al Ittihad FC in a high-profile pre-season friendly in Spain.
The fixture forms a crucial part of the Buccaneers’ upcoming European tour as they step up preparations for a demanding 2026/27 campaign. For the fifth consecutive year, the Soweto giants will pitch their pre-season camp at the world-class Marbella Football Centre.
This Spanish base has proven to be an incredibly fertile launching pad for the Sea Robbers. Their previous trips to the region laid the structural foundation for a dominant domestic era, culminating in an impressive haul of trophies that includes four successive MTN8 titles and last season’s coveted Betway Premiership crown, which ended the club’s 14-year league drought.
With the Buccaneers desperate to defend their domestic league title while launching a significant onslaught on the CAF Champions League, testing themselves against elite opposition like Al Ittihad is designed to thoroughly drill the squad.
As reigning champions, the Sea Robbers will undoubtedly enter the new season as the team to beat in South African football, and the technical team must ensure the squad builds on this established winning foundation.
PIRATES WILL FACE AL ATTIHAD ON THE 21ST OF JULY
The Al Ittihad clash serves as a major highlight of the Buccaneers’ stay in the Iberian Peninsula. The Saudi Arabian outfit confirmed the high-profile showdown on their official Instagram page, scheduling the match for July 21, 2026.
The other pre-season fixtures for Pirates during their visit to Marbella will see them face Córdoba CF, Cádiz CF, Las Palmas, and Neom FC between July 11 and July 25, 2026. This continues a trend of elite opposition for the Buccaneers, who in recent years have tested themselves against La Liga giants Sevilla and Granada CF, as well as Cypriot outfit Pafos FC.
Away from the pitch, the Soweto giants have been equally active in the transfer market, executing a major squad overhaul by bringing in fresh talent while simultaneously sanctioning a mass clearance of first-team players.
The Sea Robbers have secured the signatures of Neo Rapoo, Matome Mmolai, Ghampani Lungu, Mthetheleli Mthiyane, Sbangani Zulu, and Bohlale Ngwato to heavily fortify their depth ahead of the new campaign.
On the other hand, the club has decisively 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, and Gomolemo Khoto.
Meanwhile, teenage sensation Relebohile Mofokeng has completed his highly anticipated overseas transfer, joining Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on a permanent deal.
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