With Orlando Pirates expected to travel to Spain for their pre-season, it has also been confirmed that Mamelodi Sundowns are set to jet off to the Netherlands to prepare for the new season.
Pirates and Sundowns are the only clubs to have won trophies in the 2022/23 season, with the Brazilians having won the league a record sixth time in a row, while the Buccaneers bagged the MTN8 and Nedbank Cup respectively.
While the league is yet to confirm the date for the start of the new season, the likes of Pirates, Chiefs, Sundowns and SuperSport United are some of the teams that have already returned from their off-season break.
Chiefs are expected to go to their pre-season camp in an undisclosed location early next month.
The Good
"I am 100% in support of Pirates' decision to go to Spain for their pre-season. It will be a good experience for the team to get the feel of being in a country like Spain for their pre-season. Spain is such a football nation and there's Barcelona, Real Madrid and other top teams there. There will be a possibility for players to get opportunities if they impress during the friendly games they will be playing. The name of Pirates will be up there in the ranks in Africa if one or two players get signed by any of the teams that will be playing in those friendly games. Pirates come from a good season and what the club is planning now will benefit the team. Pirates had a good second round of the season and the coach (Jose Riveiro) is good for the team. It is not easy to join a new club and start performing but the guy did just that. He is building the team slowly and the results are there for everyone to see. They are not up there yet where one would expect the team to be but they will get there with time and if we give them the support. The chairman, as well as Nkosana and Mpumi Khoza – the family, coaches, Mandla (Ncikazi) are supportive of each other. I am saying all the good things about Pirates because that is coming from my heart. The respect that the chairman showed me and the respect I got from the players is making me to say the good things I am saying about the club. I don't expect any favours and I'm doing this because I played for the team in the League and in the Champions League. About Sundowns, I don't have a lot to say but all I can say is that it's a good thing when players get to experience good tactical aspects from the outside. I wish Pirates a safe journey to Spain and an injury-free season. I wish Pirates, Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and all the teams the very best for the new season," former Pirates striker James Mothibi said.
The Bad
"I wouldn't have chosen an African country ahead of Spain because we don't have a lot of resources on the continent. Yes, in South Africa there are different places the club could have chosen for their pre-season like going to Durban or Limpopo but they have been there before," he said.
The Ugly
On Craig Martin's Short Spell With Pirates
"I do suspect that the boy might have been affected by injury when he joined the club. When he was ready to play, he couldn't get the opportunity because the players in his position were performing. It was always going to be difficult for the coach to sacrifice any of the players that were performing for the guy who had just arrived. The unfortunate part about the whole Craig Martin story is that he didn't have enough time to wait for his chance. I think he will have enough time at Chippa and I wish him everything of the best. He is a good hustling boy and I have seen him scoring goals. My advice to him is that he must not give up," concluded Mothibi.
Should Chiefs join Pirates and Sundowns to Europe for their pre-season?
