Orlando Pirates to play Bolton Wanderers in pre-season friendly

This will be the third successive time the Buccaneers have headed to Spain for their pre-season preparations, having headed to the European continent twice under former head coach Jose Riveiro.

They previously faced off against La Liga giants Sevilla and Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Bolton are currently competing in the third division of English football.

A statement on their website on Tuesday read: "Bolton Wanderers will travel to Spain for a pre-season training camp, commencing on Sunday, 6 July. The intensive week-long programme in Marbella is a key part of the squad's preparations for the upcoming League One campaign under Head Coach Steven Schumacher.

"The trip will conclude with a friendly fixture against South African giants, Orlando Pirates. The match against the Buccaneers will take place on Friday, 11 July, with an 11 am local time kick-off at the Marbella Football Centre.

"Founded in Soweto in 1937, Orlando Pirates are one of South Africa's oldest and most successful clubs. Known as 'The Buccaneers', they have won nine domestic league titles and are one of the few clubs from the Southern Hemisphere to have won the CAF Champions League, lifting the trophy in 1995.

"The fixture is given extra resonance by the shared history of defender Mark Fish. The South African international became a champion at Orlando Pirates, winning the African Champions League in 1995, before joining Wanderers two years later after a spell with Italian giants, Lazio."