Orlando Pirates Face Plymouth Argyle in Pre-Season Friendly in Spain

South African football club Orlando Pirates is gearing up for a pre-season friendly against English team Plymouth Argyle at the Marbella Football Centre in Málaga, Spain. This match marks the start of a series of challenging fixtures for Orlando Pirates, which includes games against Sevilla and Al Sadd, as they prepare for the 2024/25 season.

Orlando Pirates, under the guidance of coach Jose Riveiro, are coming off a successful season where they clinched both the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup titles. The team finished as runners-up in the DStv Premiership, earning a spot in the upcoming CAF Champions League campaign.

Plymouth Argyle, managed by former Manchester United and England star Wayne Rooney, made their way to Marbella on the back of a tough Championship season where they narrowly avoided relegation. With new signings such as Ibrahim Cissoko from Toulouse and Nathaneal Ogbeta from Swansea, Plymouth is looking to use this friendly as a crucial test ahead of their next competitive campaign.

Both teams have seen changes in their squads during the off-season. Orlando Pirates bid farewell to players like Vincent Pule and Fortune Makaringe, while welcoming new signings including Delvi Miguel Riveira from Petro de Luanda. Academy graduates Mohau Nkota and Siyabonga Dladla are also vying for spots in the team.

Key players to watch in the upcoming friendly include Plymouth’s Ryan Hardie, who shone in the previous season with 12 goals, and Brendan Galloway, a seasoned defender with experience at Everton and Sunderland. Orlando Pirates will look towards talents like Morgan Withaker, who led the team’s goal-scoring last season.

The match between Orlando Pirates and Plymouth Argyle is set to kick off at 19:00 (SAST) and will be available for live streaming on Orlando Pirates Football Club’s YouTube channel, Pirates TV. Fans can also follow updates on the club’s social media platforms to stay informed about the friendly encounter.