Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi has rallied fans around the club’s rising stars as he boldly declares intentions for a trophy sweep in the upcoming 2026/27 season.
The Soweto giants have just concluded the pre-season tour of Spain, where they played five friendly matches against Spanish Segunda Division sides and Saudi Pro League teams. They won two games against Cadiz CF and Las Palmas, and drew with Cordoba CF.
Defeats came from Al Ittihad and Neom SC, whom they played on Friday to wrap up pre-season business in Europe. Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou included DStv Diski Challenge players such as Mpho Padime, Simphiwe Masilela and centre-back Christian Derbyshire in the group he took to Spain.
The youngsters join the likes of midfielders Cemran Dansin and Simphiwe Selepe, who also came through the club’s development ranks, although they are yet to cement first-team starting places. New signings Bohlale Ngwato and Neo Rapoo, who are both 20, add to the young players who shoulder heavy expectations on them.
For a club that has, in recent years, unleashed talent like Relebohile Mofokeng, Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Mohau Nkota, there is an air of curiosity to see which youngsters will take South African football by storm next.
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“It’s been nice [pre-season in Spain], the preparations have been going on very well, and the team is very good. I think the new players coming in will help us a lot going into the new season, and we are looking forward to going back to South Africa and starting the season,” Maswanganyi told Mike Morton after the match against Neom.
“I would say they [fans] should be looking forward to seeing every youngster in the team, and they should be able to support them and give them confidence because that’s what is needed to play. You need confidence, and you also need your fans to be there for you, not only in times when things are going well, but at all times; they need to be there for the youngsters.”
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Pirates enter the new campaign as the defending Betway Premiership champions after securing a remarkable domestic treble last season, adding the MTN8 and Carling Knockout Cup to their cabinet. The Buccaneers have proven to be cup specialists in recent years, underlined by three consecutive MTN8 titles.
“We need to continue building more from what we have done. We are looking forward to making sure that we win all the cups because we have been saying this for the past four years now,” added Maswanganyi.
“So, I think it’s time we do it again. We are prepared, and we want to win more cups. [Personally, I’m looking forward] to helping the team win more cups.”
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