Orlando Pirates Football Club is pleased to announce the club’s Preseason schedule for 2024. The Mighty Buccaneers will be returning to Europe for a three-match tour in Spain.
Jose Riveiro’s men will begin their preseason campaign against English Championship side Plymouth Argyle on July 12, before heading to Seville on July 15 to take on La Liga outfit Sevilla.
Then to round up the tour, the back-to-back MTN8 and Nedbank Cup champs will lock horns with Qatar Stars League outfit Al Sadd SC on July 19.
Plymouth Argyle
Nicknamed The Pilgrims, Plymouth Argyle Football Club compete in the English Championship and despite a disappointing 2023/24 season, the club has already signalled their intent to change their fortunes in the new season with the appointment of Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney as the new Manager.
Orlando Pirates Football Club has officially announced their pre-season schedule ahead of the upcoming season, aiming to fine-tune their squad and strategies for optimal performance. The schedule includes a series of rigorous training sessions and friendly matches designed to prepare the team physically and tactically.
The pre-season kicks off with intensive training camps aimed at building fitness levels and fostering team cohesion. These camps will be crucial in integrating new signings and evaluating young talent within the squad. The coaching staff, led by head coach [insert coach’s name if available], emphasizes the importance of this period in laying the groundwork for a successful season ahead.
Additionally, friendly matches against local and potentially international opponents are scheduled to provide competitive match practice and to assess the team’s readiness. These matches serve as a platform for tactical experimentation and player evaluation, allowing the coaching staff to fine-tune strategies and formations.
Orlando Pirates fans eagerly anticipate the start of the new season and look to the pre-season schedule as a promising indicator of the team’s ambitions. With a blend of experienced players and emerging talent, the club aims to build upon previous successes and compete at the highest level both domestically and continentally.
Overall, the pre-season schedule reflects Orlando Pirates’ commitment to thorough preparation and sets the stage for an exciting and challenging campaign ahead.
Speaking on his appointment last month, Rooney said: “This is an opportunity to be part of an exciting project. I look forward to helping to build a squad of players to play expansive football – and to entertain the Green Army.
“I have experienced first-hand how talented the existing group of players is here – and also the incredible atmosphere at Home Park. The club is on an exciting long-term journey, with a progressive plan in place. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of it. I can’t wait for the Championship season to start in August.”
Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC need no introduction. The club is considered one of the most successful teams in the UEFA Cup/Europa League with seven titles to their name, most recently in 2023.
The La Liga giants are currently managed by Quique Sanchez Flores. He was appointed on December 18, 2023.
Al Sadd SC
Al Sadd SC are regarded as the best team in Qatar and are the only Qatari team to have won the AFC Champions League in Asia. Al Sadd SC are a powerhouse in Qatari football, with a winning tradition, passionate fan base, and talented players that make them a force to be reckoned with on the field. Notable players to have don the jersey include Xavi and Andrew Ayew. Of the current crop, Al Sadd SC are led by Akram Afif, who scored 26 goals (including 11 assists) in 22 matches.
