Orlando Pirates conclude their pre-season tour with a clash against Qatari outfit Al-Sadd at Banùs Football Centre on Friday night.
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.
