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Orlando Pirates will face a different challenge in their pre-season tour of Spain when they come up against Al-Ittihad of Saudi Arabia at Banús Football Center on Tuesday night.
Having faced local opposition in their opening two matches, the Buccaneers now come up against the Jeddah-based outfit also stationed on Spain’s south coast for the European leg of its pre-season preparations. It’s a chance for the Soweto Giants to gauge their readiness against one of Asia’s powerhouses in what could be the sternest test of their tour so far.
While only a pre-season encounter, the fixture between the two former continental champions carries the feel of a marquee occasion featuring decorated clubs readying themselves for demanding schedules.
Match-Day Focus
Now halfway through their preparations for the new season, Pirates have had the opportunity to gauge themselves against quality opposition during their first week back in Marbella.
A 1-1 draw against Córdoba gave them a thorough examination with valuable minutes handed out to a good portion of the travelling squad while the likes of captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, Makhehleni Makhaula and new signing Matome Mmolai had their first run-out in a hard-fought 2-1 win against Cádiz over the weekend. They will be looking to add to the progress built over the two previous fixtures in what promises to be a tough assignment against a side that has built a reputation as perennial title contenders in a league whose profile continues to rise on the global stage.
The Buccaneers will provide an important step in Al-Ittihad’s groundwork for a return to the winner’s podium after disappointing defence of their league and national cup titles. They finished the campaign trophyless, only sneaking into the preliminary rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite).
With their internationals all in camp after participating in the recently-concluded FIFA World Cup, the Saudi giants are close to full strength as they look ahead to a fixture brimming with international quality on both sides.
Among those returning from the global showpiece event is former Tottenham Hotspur winger Steven Bergwijn, who represented the Netherlands in North America, while Bafana star Oswin Appollis could soon line up for the Buccaneers after sitting out the two previous fixtures.
Opposition Snapshot
Al-Ittihad are one of the most decorated clubs in the Persian Gulf, boasting 14 domestic league titles alongside six regional trophies which include two triumphs in the prestigious ACL Elite. The Saudi giants are on the verge of celebrating a centenary after it was founded in 1927, initially playing under the name Ittihad Jeddah.
Nicknamed Al-Numoor (The Tigers), the club established early dominance in the Saudi top flight – then known as His Majesty’s League – finishing as runners-up in its inaugural year in 1957 before securing a hat-trick of titles between 1958 and 1961, followed by their fourth in 1964. The club remained among the contenders for league and cup glory for much of the 20th century, steadily increasing its silverware tally, and the turn of the millennium brought about further success.
They won four consecutive league titles between 1999 and 2003 before clinching back-to-back ACL Elite titles along with the 2005 Arab Champions League triumph.
The Tigers recently ended a decade-long drought for the Saudi Pro League title when they finished first in the 2022/23 season. They were again triumphant two years later, completing a domestic double as they also won the Kings Cup, beating Al-Qadsiah 3-1 in the final with Karim Benzema netting a brace.
Following the departure of a few big names such as the veteran French striker and his countryman N’golo Kante, Al-Ittihad struggled to reach similar heights last season. They finished in fifth place, well short of what was required to qualify for the group stage of the ACL Elite.
Having recently appointed German head coach Jens Wissing ahead of the new season, Ittihad have bolstered their defence by bringing in Serbian centre-back Jan-Carlo Simić from Belgian giants RSC Anderlecht while Cameroon international Stephane Keller has joined permanently from AEL Limassol after a successful loan spell. Notable departures include that of former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho as well as Saudi international Abdulaziz Al-Bishi.
Match Coverage
The pre-season fixture between Orlando Pirates and Al-Ittihad kicks off at 19:00 (SAST) and can be streamed live on Pirates TV on YouTube as well as SuperSport Variety 4 (209). You can also follow the action by keeping an eye on updates posted across the club’s official social media channels.
SOURCED FROM THE CLUB’S WEBSITE.