Orlando Pirates will face Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad in a pre-season friendly in Spain on Wednesday as their pre-season preparations continue.
The Buccaneers have enjoyed a positive training camp in Spain, where they have played two matches so far. They opened with a 1-1 draw against Spanish side Córdoba before defeating Cádiz 2-1 over the weekend.
New head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has used the tour to assess his squad after adding seven new signings while also integrating three players from the club’s DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) side.
With five trophies to compete for during the 2026/27 campaign, Pirates are expected to face a demanding schedule. The clash against Al-Ittihad will provide another stern test as they enter the final stages of their Spanish training camp.
Who are Orlando Pirates’ pre-season opponents?
Al-Ittihad are one of Saudi Arabia’s most successful clubs, based in Jeddah. The club has boasted several high-profile stars in recent years, including Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté and Moussa Diaby, although Benzema and Kanté have since departed.
The Saudi giants have won the Saudi Pro League eight times and have claimed 46 major domestic and international trophies throughout their history.
Pirates are scheduled to play three more pre-season friendlies before returning to South Africa.
They will then shift their focus to the new campaign, beginning with an MTN8 quarter-final against Durban City on the second weekend of August. The fixture is expected to attract a capacity crowd.
Ouaddou could also strengthen his squad further, with the transfer window still open and additional signings remaining a possibility before the season gets underway.
