Orlando Pirates youngsters Cristian Derbyshire, Simphiwe Masilela and Mpho Padime have arrived in Spain with the senior squad for the club’s pre-season camp ahead of the new Betway Premiership season.
The trio are part of the travelling group after earning promotions from the club’s DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) champions. However, the remaining four academy players are yet to be spotted with the squad in Spain.
Derbyshire, Padime and Masilela were seen arriving with the first team after the squad landed in Spain.
Meanwhile, Mpho Mphekgoane, Tshepo Mhlambi, Lebohang Mohlale and Lungelo Dondolo have not yet been spotted since the team’s arrival.
ORLANDO PIRATES YOUNGSTERS REWARDED AFTER TITLE-WINNING SEASON
The six youngsters first trained with the senior squad in Johannesburg before Orlando Pirates departed for Spain, where Padime was not spotted.
Their promotion followed an outstanding 2025/26 campaign under coach Roscoe Krieling. The young Buccaneers won their first-ever DStv Diski Challenge title after collecting 75 points, breaking the previous competition record of 70 points held by Kaizer Chiefs.
Their impressive performances earned them an opportunity to impress new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou ahead of the new season.
PATHWAY REMAINS STRONG
Orlando Pirates continue to show faith in their academy by exposing young players to the senior environment.
The club has successfully promoted talents such as Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota in recent years. All three established themselves in the first team before securing moves abroad.
Now, Derbyshire, Masilela and Padime will hope to take the next step in their development, while supporters wait to see whether the other four promoted youngsters also join the senior squad during the pre-season camp in Spain.
HAVE YOU WATCHED ANY OF THESE NEW ORLANDO PIRATES YOUNGSTERS?
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