Orlando Pirates are actively preparing for the 2024/25 season with a series of strategic signings, as they gear up in Spain.
The club has introduced a mix of promising talents including goalkeeper Bayanda Zulu, Siyabonga Dladla, defender Dimpho Madalane, and midfielders Selaelo Rasebotja, Miguel Vieira Gilberto, Mohau Nkota, and Thuso Moleleki.
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These players have not only joined the team in Spain but have also participated in friendly matches, showcasing their potential. As a result, former Pirates forward Jackie Ledwaba has expressed his high regard for the club's scouting efforts, which he believes have consistently identified under-the-radar talents capable of making significant impacts.
In an exclusive interview with Soccer Laduma, Ledwaba highlighted the effectiveness of Pirates' recruitment strategy.
"The people I really respect now at Pirates are the scouts. They are scouting unknown, very good players. In the past two seasons they have brought in players who we didn't know very well from their previous clubs but when they came to Pirates they made changes. Look at Sipho Chaine. He was not playing at Chippa United but looks at him now!" Ledwaba told the Siya crew.
He cited the examples of Patrick Maswanganyi and Talent Mbatha too, who were not widely recognised before joining Pirates but have since become key contributors.
"What about Patrick Maswanganyi and Talent Mbatha at SuperSport United? Pirates scouts looked at them and brought them to the team and they have been doing very well. Maswanganyi even won awards in his first season at the team and Mbatha became a regular. All that is the work of the scouts. Pirates' scouts are doing a great job!" Ledwaba told Soccer Laduma.
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The training camp in Spain is also seen as a crucial component of the team's preparation. Ledwaba believes that such high-level training environments significantly boost player morale and confidence.
"Training in such environments is very good. It boosts the morale of the players and builds the confidence. Just like last season when they went there they will come back with high spirits which will even help them defend the MTN8 trophy again and that will be a good start of the season. You need to build on that and fight for the league this time around," Ledwaba concluded.
As Pirates continue their pre-season in Spain, the integration of new signings and the overall team dynamics will be key areas to watch. The club's strategic approach to scouting and training suggests a robust readiness to tackle the upcoming season, with the hope of translating pre-season efforts into tangible success on the field.
