Orlando Pirates players warm up before the Absa Premiership match between Baroka FC and Orlando Pirates at New Peter Mokaba Stadium on November 30, 2016 in Polokwane, South Africa. (Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images)
Following a dreadful season that has seen the club not make the cut for a top-eight finish, Orlando Pirates released a press statement this week saying coach Kjell Jonevret had given his players a break until the second week of July while coach Jonevret and the management at the club prepared for the upcoming season.
“Over the next couple of days, management will be going through the entire roster as the club prepares for the new season,” read the statement.
“The players have since been given a break by the head coach and will be expected to return for preseason training in the week of the 10th [July 2017].”
“With the club failing to qualify for the top eight, this means Jonevret and his charges will have an extended preseason programme which includes the annual Carling Black Label Champions Cup against Kaizer Chiefs on July 29.”
The Buccaneers failed to clinch the Nedbank Cup losing to SuperSport United for the second successive time in the final.