The Soweto Giants, Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates underwent various stages of preparation in Spain before the start of the new season. One team has returned home, while the other continues training in Europe, preparing for upcoming challenges.
The Soweto Giants, Kaizer Chiefs, and Orlando Pirates underwent various stages of preparation in Spain before the start of the new season. One team has returned home, while the other continues training in Europe, preparing for upcoming challenges.
Kaizer Chiefs concluded their European preseason camp under the guidance of Fernando Da Cruz. The team played a series of friendly matches against opponents such as Rangers and Elche before returning home to participate in the Toyota Cup.
Under the leadership of new head coach Fernando da Cruz, the team showed mixed results, failing to secure victories but gaining valuable experience through a busy schedule. Amakhosi began the tour with a 1-1 draw against Scottish giants Rangers, followed by another 1-1 draw against Saudi Pro League side Al Kholood.
The toughest test for Chiefs was the match against La Liga side Elche, which ended in a 2-1 defeat in the final game. Despite the lack of wins, these games allowed Da Cruz to assess the squad, implement a tactical approach, and identify areas needing improvement before the season starts.
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates remained in Spain, continuing preparations under the guidance of new coach Abdelsalam Wadee. The Buccaneers started their tour with a 1-1 draw against Cordoba, followed by an impressive 2-1 victory over Cadiz after falling behind.
This result gave an early boost to Wadee, who is tasked with maintaining the pace of Pirates after a successful previous campaign while implementing his own philosophy. The Spanish camp allowed the Moroccan coach to experiment with different lineups, evaluate new players, and give the athletes precious time before the intense season.
Pirates still have scheduled challenges before returning home. The Buccaneers are set to face Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ittihad on July 21, and will also play Spanish club Las Palmas on July 22 and Saudi club NEOM SC on July 24. These remaining matches will give Wadee additional opportunities to fine-tune the team and determine the preferred starting lineup before the resumption of competitive football.
Kaizer Chiefs, for their part, will focus on final preparations at home, where a Toyota Cup match against Scotland FC is scheduled for July 26, giving Da Cruz another chance to assess the squad before the Betway Premiership campaign begins. Although the results differ, both teams believe that Spain fulfilled its purpose: for Chiefs, it was about building a foundation under a new coach, and for Pirates, it was about refining a team that achieved significant success last season while adapting to new management. However, the real test will begin when competitive football resumes.
Khalil Ben Youssef, former coach of Kaizer Chiefs and representative of Isithombe, has been appointed as the head coach of Durban City. He is preparing to debut in the CAF tournament, where he faces a challenging task—a match against the current league champions, Orlando Pirates, in the MTN8 next month.
Ben Youssef begins the season with Durban after the team finished eighth in its first season in the Betway Premiership. This debut season started under the guidance of experienced coach Gavin Hunt, with Pitso Dladla as his assistant.
Despite securing a spot in the top eight bringing the team the heavy burden of facing the titled Orlando Pirates in the cup opener, Ben Youssef and Durban City hope that the Buccaneers do not possess the sharpness that characterized their previous campaign, given current transfer rumors.
Previously, while working as an assistant coach at Kaizer Chiefs, the Tunisian tactician faced Pirates in the Soweto Derby, which ended in a frustrating draw after a previous match where a painful 3-0 victory was secured.
Now Ben Youssef leads the new, motivated Durban City team, which carries significant pressure. They previously met at Orlando Stadium late last season when Dladla was in charge. Thanks to luck and strong defensive discipline, Durban managed to draw 0-0 with Pirates, thus delaying the Buccaneers' championship celebration.
Although Dladla led the club to historic glory in the Nedbank Cup, he lacks experience in the top league and the necessary CAF coaching qualifications. The latter are strict requirements for managing the team in the upcoming CAF Confederation Cup.
Club chairman Farook Kadodia previously stated that they would 'cross this bridge when we get there,' in response to Independent Media's questions regarding Dladla's CAF A license. Consequently, Dladla will return to the role of assistant coach, playing an important role in integrating Ben Youssef into the head coach position.
The visitors (Durban City) frustrated the highly motivated home team for all 90 minutes, defending numerically and preventing clear chances. It was a masterclass in rigid organization, which became a hallmark of their debut season in the top division.
This tenacious display by the KwaZulu-Natal side was not well received by the 'Ghost,' who watched his team still win the Premiership trophy a few days later. Pirates now enter this MTN8 match with the determination to start a new season with the first step towards defending their title. In Soweto, where expectations are very high, the Buccaneers know that any result other than a convincing victory will be regarded as an extremely disappointing start.
On the other hand, Durban City has its own high aspirations. Already having experience of success in the Nedbank Cup playoffs, the KZN side firmly believes that another tactical surprise in Orlando could pave the way to winning even more trophies.
The giants from Soweto, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, continue their preseason tour of Spain, preparing for the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign. Both teams are utilizing European camps to improve physical fitness, integrate new players, and assess tactical combinations before the upcoming intense national season.
Kaizer Chiefs began their plan under Fernando Da Cruz, drawing 1-1 with Scottish giants Rangers in a closed friendly match on Sunday. Amakhosi initially took the lead, but Findlay Curtis equalized for Rangers. Both teams made significant changes to their squads, as the priority was improving playing form rather than the final result. Despite the late goal conceded, the performance showed promising signs for Da Cruz, who had the opportunity to assess his squad in match conditions after taking charge at Naturena.
The French coach inherited a team striving to regain its place among league contenders after another season of rebuilding. Now, Chiefs' focus is on the match against Saudi Pro League side Al Kholood on Wednesday, followed by a fixture against La Liga team Elche on Saturday to conclude the Spanish tour. Both scheduled matches are expected to be a more serious tactical test as Da Cruz continues to shape his preferred starting lineup before the start of the new season.
As for Orlando Pirates, the focus shifts to Marbella, southern Spain. Here, the league champions under Oaddu are set to begin a five-match preseason schedule against second-division Spanish side Córdoba on Wednesday. The Buccaneers will then play Cádiz, followed by matches against Saudi clubs Al-Ittihad and Neom, concluding the tour with a game against Las Palmas.
Unlike Chiefs, Pirates arrive in Spain with high expectations, having won the Betway Premiership, MTN8, and Carling Knockout Cup last season. This tour also gives Oaddu a significant opportunity to restructure the team following the departure of Relebohile Mofokeng to Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The upcoming games will be particularly important for Pirates' new players, as they need to adapt to Oaddu's methods and fight for starting positions before defending their titles.
Chiefs hope that the remaining matches in Spain will accelerate Da Cruz's rebuilding project and provide more clarity regarding the squad capable of ending the club's long wait for sustained success. Although preseason results rarely determine future developments, both teams plan to return home with greater cohesion, improved physical condition, and clearer tactical concepts before competitive football resumes in early August.
