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By Tshepo Ntsoelengoe

Football Journalist


Orlando Pirates intensify preparations for new season

Jose Riveiro’s charges will also go to Spain ahead of new season.


Orlando Pirates‘ preparations for the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season began this week, with the team taking the first part of pre-season preparations to the High-Performance Centre in Pretoria.

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The Buccaneers then travel to Rustenburg and then Spain as they continue getting ready for the start of the new campaign.

“It is all hands-on-deck for Orlando Pirates as the team gears up for the season ahead. After a five-week break from club activity, the players marked their return with visits to the High-Performance Centre in Tshwane on Monday to undergo the first part of preseason, which involves medicals and general assessments,” the club wrote on their website.

“The double-champions will conclude all observations this week, before heading to Rustenburg to mark the official start of the 2023 pre-season schedule.”

Pirates’ physiotherapist Kutlwano Molefe says they have started with the physical, physiological and psychological base on the players before moving on to other things.

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“The holiday season is over, it is time to knuckle down and prepare for the season ahead. However, before we begin with conditioning and football work, we need to first establish a physical, physiological and psychological base that will determine the rest of the season. This is probably one of the most important parts of the season.” said the Bucs physio.

The Sea Robbers, who won the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup last season, have four new players in their squad, with the team having acquired the services of Katlego Otladisa, Patrick Maswanganyi, Melusi Buthelezi and Sephelelo Baloni.