Orlando Pirates conclude their stay in Spain this Friday with a clash against Saudi outfit NEOM at the Marbella Football Center.
The fixture marks the end of a crucial phase in the Buccaneers’ preparations for the 2026/27 campaign, a season where there is plenty at stake both domestically and continentally. Their next opponent is a side intent on building on what was an eye-catching debut season in the Saudi Pro League, where they confirmed their status as a team on the rise.
It’s another important exercise for the two sides intent on raising the bar in the upcoming season after building considerable excitement through successful campaigns last term.
Match-Day Focus
The Buccaneers face Saudi opposition for the second time on tour in what is their fifth and final fixture in this year’s leg, having also locked horns with three Spanish teams. The last of their local opponents was a familiar counterpart in the form of Las Palmas, whom they had met on two occasions prior. The fixture played this Wednesday provided a valuable workout and a hard-fought 1-0 victory, their second since arriving in Marbella.
While unbeaten with two wins and a draw against Spanish teams this year, Pirates will be wary of the Pro League newcomers. Their only defeat on tour so far has come against Saudi opposition in two-time Asian champions Al-Ittihad, who were quite clinical in punishing mistakes in their 3-2 victory.
NEOM will themselves be on a high following a promising debut season in the top flight, where they proved they were more than deserving of a place among the elite. They have been hard at work on the south coast, running out for a couple of useful training matches.
Their first pre-season friendly was a goalless draw against English League One outfit Peterborough. It was followed by a defeat to Spanish Segunda División side Granada, who clinched a 2-0 win on Wednesday night.
As they continue to test themselves against a diverse set of opponents, The Falcons now set their sights on the South African champions who are determined to sign off in Spain on a winning note.
Opposition Snapshot
The ambitious outfit from the Tabuk province of Saudi Arabia has undergone some major changes in recent years, and the investment made off the pitch has translated to on-field success.
Founded in 1965, the club operated as Al-Suqoor Club until its name-change in December 2023, which came shortly after its promotion to the third tier of Saudi football. The Falcons have competed in the lower leagues for the vast majority of their existence, going as low as the fourth division before their rapid rise to the Yelo League (second tier), where they only spent one season before achieving promotion to the Saudi Pro League for the first time in the club’s history in 2025.
Having finished an impressive eighth place in their debut season in the elite division, they are looking to achieve even greater heights under former Paris Saint Germain manager Christophe Galtier.
The Frenchman’s squad currently possesses household names including former Arsenal and France striker Alexandre Lacazette and ex-West Ham winger Saïd Benrahma. The two veteran forwards were crucial in ensuring a top-half finish last season, each hitting double figures under the goals column.
The club’s smart recruitment has carried over into the current off-season, with former Porto and Chelsea centre-back Malang Sarr brought in to strengthen the defence, while the likes of Abdoulaye Doucouré and veteran Egyptian centre-back recently ended their spell at the club.
Match Coverage Orlando Pirates and NEOM kick off at 19:00 on Friday with a live stream available on SuperSport Variety 4 (209) and Pirates TV on YouTube. Live updates will be shared throughout the duration of the match on Orlando Pirates’ official social media channels
