Orlando Pirates pre-season tour: Abdeslam Ouaddou era begins in Spain for AmaBhakaniya

The Buccaneers have been busy in the transfer market, unveiling ten new signings so far ahead of the new season, as they look to improve on their 2024/25 CAF Champions League semi-final exit and claim the elusive league title.

New head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou will fortunately have a chance to integrate with the players ahead of the 2025/26 season and try to implement his disciplined attack-minded playing philosophy.

Orlando Pirates New Signings

Bafana Bafana winger Oswin Appollis headlines the raft of new signing by the Soweto giants, joining the club from Polokwane City, the club he helped achieve consecutive top eight finishes in the league.

Midfielder Sipho Mbule joins after parting ways with Mamelodi Sundowns, having spent a season on loan at Sekhukhune United. He played 17 matches for Babina Noko last season, impressing with two goals and three assists before being plagued by off the field issues.

Sihle Nduli arrives after a successful spell at Stellenbosch, the defensive midfielder featured heavily in the 2024/25 season, playing in 44 matches, scoring once as Stellies secured third spot in the Betway Premiership.

Left-footed winger Tshepang Moremi joins the club from Amazulu, after helping Usuthu secure MTN8 qualification for the upcoming season. He featured in 31 matches last season, scoring four goals and providing seven assists.

Newly capped Bafana Bafana attacking midfielder Sinoxolo Kwayiba arrives at Pirates from Chippa United after making 28 appearances in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring seven goals whilst providing one assist.

Striker Yanela Mbuthuma and left-back Nkosikhona Ndaba both arrive from Richards Bay, with both playing key roles as they secured a final matchday top eight spot for the Natal Rich Boys. Mbuthuma scored 6 goals and provided one assist, with Ndaba also providing one goal.

Central midfielder Masindi Nemtajela was signed from Marumo Gallants, where he played in 20 matches las season, scoring one goal and providing two assists.

Winger Kabelo Kgositsile and right-back Tshepho Mashiloane join the club from Motsepe Foundation Championship club Baroka, having impressed during the 3-1 loss against Bucs in their 2024/25 Nedbank Cup Round of 16 clash. 

However, Kgositsile will spend the upcoming season on loan with the Limpopo based team (Baroka) in the National First Division before rejoining Bucs for the 2026/27 season.

More activity is expected in the transfer market for the Mayfair-based club, with Paseka Mako, Thabiso Monyane, Innocent Maela having already parted ways with the club.

Tour opponents

Bolton Wanderers - 11 July

The former Premier League club finished last season in eighth position on the 2024/25 English Football League One table under coach Steven Schumacher, who joined the team in January.

The Trotters recently lost their top striker Aaron Collins to Milton Key Dons but have signed Sam Dalby from newly promoted Championship side Wrexham.  

Star players: John McAtee, George Thomason, George Johnston

Pafos FC - 13 July

Manager Juan Carlos Carcedo led The Red and Whites to their maiden Cypriot First Division title after a sterling 2024/25 league campaign.

Pafos continued from the momentum which saw the club qualify to compete in last season's UEFA Europa Conference League, a first appearance in European competitions.

The team parted ways with main striker Jairo, who joined Malaysian Super League club Johor Darul Ta'zim as a free agent and have replaced him with Brazilian compatriot Anderson Silva from Turkish side Alanyaspor.

Star players: Muamer Tankovic, Vlad Dragomir, Ivica Ivusic

Union Deportiva Las Palmas - 15 July

The Yellows will be looking to redeem themselves in the 2025/26 season following their disappointing relegation from LaLiga to the Segunda Division.

Las Palmas have also sold exciting 21-year-old winger Alberto Moleiro to LaLiga club Vilareal, who reportedly paid 16 million euros to sign him, the club's highest fee for a midfielder.

Star players: Fabio Silva, Mika Marmol, Adnan Januzaj

Granada CF - 17 July

The Spanish Segunda side narrowly missed out on a LaLiga promotion playoff spot after finishing in seventh position on the second division table.

Granada have sold their star midfielder Gonzalo Vilar to Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb in the current transfer window and signed three new players as free agents.

Star players: Lucas Boye, Martin Uzuni, Georgiy Tsitaishvili