An action-packed Spanish voyage closes with another exciting fixture, pitting one of South Africa’s top sides against Qatar’s most successful team.

Match Overview

It’s a clash between two sides that tasted silverware in the 2023/24 season, with the men from Doha set to take to the field for only the second time time since clinching a domestic double

Having bagged the Qatar Stars League and the Emir Cup titles, Al-Sadd had a confidence-boosting outcome in their only practice match so far. They won 8-0 against Gibraltar Football League outfit Manchester 62, with the clash also taking place at Banùs Football Centre.

With a season comprising of competition against Asia’s top teams on the horizon, they will be eyeing another commanding performance against the Soweto Giants who take to the field one last time before heading back to South Africa.

For Pirates, the fixture presents another opportunity to return to winning ways after playing to a stalemate against Granada on Wednesday. It was their second draw on tour, with the first coming in their opening pre-season fixture against English Championship outfit Plymouth Argyle.

The Buccaneers have tasted victory in Spain, beating La Liga outfit Sevilla 2-0 at Ramon Cisneros Palacios, and they will be eager to leave their adopted home base in Marbella with another win in the bag.

Team News

Bucs coach Jose Riveiro has tested out several combinations throughout the tour, and will likely shuffle his pack once more.

The Buccaneers had an injury concern early in the clash against Granada, with Evidence Makgopa stretchered out midway through the first half. The striker will be in a race against time to be fit for the clash, while experienced forwards like Tshegofatso Mabasa and Zakhele Lepasa could step up in his absence.

Al-Sadd meanwhile handed an unofficial debut to Spanish forward Rafa Mujica, who made a switch from Portuguese top-flight outfit Arouca in the off-season.

He’s the club’s only new signing so far, while winger Nayef Hamid has departed for a loan spell at Al-Shahania.

Players to Watch

Gonzalo Plata will be high on confidence, having carried his goal-scoring form from the previous campaign into the off-season with a hat-trick against Manchester 62. The Ecuadorian had 14 goal contributions in 21 league appearances last season, and is a potent threat on the right wing.

He will be ably assisted by Mujica, who netted a brace in his first outing for the club.

In defence, goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham boasts valuable international experience having claimed close to 50 caps for Qatar, and will be playing behind the likes of Brazilian defender Paulo Otàvio.

How to Watch Orlando Pirates vs Al-Sadd

Kick-off is at 19:30 (SAST) and can be streamed live via Orlando Pirates’ YouTube channel, Pirates TV and SuperSport PSL. Live updates will be shared across Orlando Pirates’ social media platforms.

They had bright moments early on, despite being largely pinned inside their half, with
Thabiso Lebitso and Thalente Mbatha each sending a shot over the bar inside the opening five minutes. The Spanish side came close to taking the lead in the 10th minute through Pablo Sàenz, who drew a save from Sipho Chaine. The resultant corner led to another close call as Evidence Makgopa intervened to keep out a Miguel Rubio header.

Pirates were the side to break the deadlock with the opener coming in the 19th minute when Patrick Maswanganyi’s piercing pass located an unmarked Gilberto, who produced a composed finish past Marc Martinez to make it 1-0.That lead was however short-lived as the two sides were level once more inside the opening quarter as Shon Weissman pounced on a misplaced pass from Sandile Mthethwa before
turning the ball into the net.

The contest remained at a high tempo for the rest of the first period, and the Buccaneers
could have restored their lead right before the break when Gilberto surged into the box before being bundled into the ground as he set himself up for a shot at goal.

They had to wait a while before their first real chance of the second half which came when
Monnapule Saleng latched onto a wayward pass deep in Granada territory, but the resultant
shot was hit straight at replacement keeper Luca Zidane. The French shot-stopper’s defences were breached moments later by Tshegofatso Mabasa, whose shot was cleared off the line by Pablo Insua.

Kabelo Dlamini fired wide with his curling effort late in the contest, and there was a last-gasp
opportunity for Sérigné Faye at the other end with the Senegalese forward misfiring with his
attempt at goal. It remained level as the final whistle sounded, signalling a second stalemate for the
Buccaneers in Marbella.

Pirates XI: Chaine (Dladla 61’), Ndah (Sesane 61’), Mthethwa (Sibisi 61’), Lebitso (Monyane
61’), Maela (Hotto 61’), Makhaula (Timm 61’), Mbatha (Rasebotja 61’), Saleng (Dlamini 61’),
Maswanganyi (Kimvuidi 61’), Gilberto (Otladisa 61’), Makgopa (Mabasa 22’, Nkota 81’).

The Buccaneers’ schedule in the off-season features dates against The Pilgrims, Spanish giants Sevilla, as well as Qatar’s Al Sadd as they take preparations for the 2024/25 campaign up a notch following the winter break.

The first stop is Marbella, where they will come up against the English Championship outfit managed by former Manchester United and England forward Wayne Rooney.

Match Overview

Following a successful season where they defended both their MTN8 and Nedbank Cup titles, Jose Riveiro’s troops are looking to use their time in Spain to fine-tune for what promises to be another demanding season. This is after finishing second in the DStv Premiership, booking their spot in the CAF Champions League.

The upcoming season presents an opportunity to further cement their status as South Africa’s cup kings, while also looking for an improved showing in league football.

The journey towards that kicks off against The Pilgrims, who landed in Marbella on the back of a tough return to the Championship where they narrowly survived relegation after finishing in 21st position.

Having brought in Rooney, who has done some hard yards as manager via stints at Derby County and Birmingham City, the Devon-based outfit are determined to hit the ground running next season, and will take their clash against the Buccaneers as an important test in setting the tone ahead of their return to competitive action.

Team News

Both sides have undergone some personnel changes, with Plymouth recently welcoming Dutch forward Ibrahim Cissoko on a loan transfer from French Ligue 1 outfit Toulouse. He is one of three players brought in on loan by the club, alongside Manchester City youth product Darko Gyabi who joins from Leeds, as well as Slavia Prague attacker Muhamed Tijani.

Also new to The Pilgrims squad is former England Under-20 international Nathaneal Ogbeta, who joined on a permanent transfer following his departure from Swansea.

They will be without goalkeeper Callum Burton, who has been released by the club along with defensive duo, Jack Endacott and Oscar Halls, while midfielders Mickel Miller and Tyreik Wright have secured moves to Huddersfield Town and Bradford, respectively.

There have also been some notable departures in the Bucs camp during the off-season, with the likes of Vincent Pule and Fortune Makaringe among those not part of the travelling party after leaving the club.

Pirates have some new faces on tour, having confirmed the signing of Angola international Delvi Miguel Riveira – otherwise known as Gilberto – who signed a three-year-deal from Petro de Luanda. Meanwhile Academy graduates Mohau Nkota and Siyabonga Dladla are among those granted the opportunity to impress ahead of the upcoming season.

Players to Watch

The English outfit has a young squad with an average age of just under 25, but does also boast some valuable experience.

Former Scotland youth international Ryan Hardie was instrumental in helping The Pilgrims secure promotion from the third tier of English football before carrying his form into last season’s Championship campaign, where he found the net 12 times. Also providing considerable experience is former Everton and Sunderland defender Brendan Galloway, who made 36 league appearances last season on his return from a long-term injury.

Young winger Morgan Withaker led the club’s goal-scoring charts last season with 20 scored across competitions, while Cissoko will also be among the new faces looking to stamp their mark during pre-season.

How to Watch Orlando Pirates vs Plymouth Argyle

The game is scheduled to start at 19:00 (SAST) and can be streamed live on Orlando Pirates Football Club’s YouTube channel, Pirates TV. You can also follow the action by keeping an eye on live updates posted across the Club’s social media platforms.

In a draw held in Cairo, Egypt on Thursday, they were among the five clubs set to begin their
campaign in the second preliminary round, where they will face off against the Malagasy Pro
League champions. The Antsirabe-based outfit will be home for the first leg scheduled to take place on the weekend of 16 August.

The second leg fixtures get underway seven days later, with Orlando Stadium set to host the deciding leg.The winner of the tie will progress to the final preliminary round, where they stand to come up against one of Namibia’s African Stars or Jwaneng Galaxy from Botswana in mid-September. The fixture dates, kick-off times, and match venues will be confirmed in due course.

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.

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.