Pirates Return To Spain For Pre-Season
Orlando Pirates are set to head back to Spain for pre-season training. Club director Mpumi Khoza secured a deal for the South African giants to play a friendly against Sevilla FC.
“Ahead of the team’s return to training on 6 July, Sevilla FC has confirmed the first three friendlies of their summer,” the club stated.
The first stage of pre-season will take place at Sevilla’s training ground, with three friendlies planned. The first will be a closed-door match against Orlando Pirates at the Jesús Navas Stadium on 15 July.
Pirates, led by Spanish coach Jose Riveiro, will be making their second pre-season trip to Spain in as many years. Last season, they faced Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv (winning the match), Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle (another win), and drew against Las Palmas (Spanish Segunda Division).
Sevilla, under coach Quique Sánchez Flores, finished 14th in La Liga last season. Despite a disappointing league placing, they boast a formidable squad. Veterans Sergio Ramos and Jesus Navas, both part of Spain’s 2010 World Cup winning team, are still on the roster. Sevilla has a strong European pedigree, having won the Europa League a record seven times and the UEFA Super Cup once.