Orlando Pirates have given three of their brightest academy prospects a chance to prove themselves on the senior stage after they travelled with the first-team squad to Spain for the club’s pre-season preparations ahead of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign.
The trip marks another important step in the club’s commitment to developing homegrown talent as the Buccaneers prepare for a new chapter under head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou.
Three Academy Graduates Join Senior Squad
Cristian Derbyshire, Simphiwe Masilela and Mpho Padime were all spotted arriving in Spain alongside the senior team after earning promotions from Orlando Pirates’ highly successful DStv Diski Challenge side.
Their inclusion in the travelling squad is seen as a reward for impressive performances at youth level and gives them the opportunity to train and compete alongside the club’s established first-team players during the pre-season camp.
However, while those three youngsters have already linked up with the squad in Spain, four other promoted academy players have not yet been seen with the team.
Four Promoted Players Yet to Appear
Mpho Mphekgoane, Tshepo Mhlambi, Lebohang Mohlale and Lungelo Dondolo have not been spotted since Orlando Pirates arrived in Spain.
Before the team departed South Africa, all seven academy players had spent time training with the senior squad in Johannesburg, although Padime was not initially seen during those sessions before eventually travelling with the team.
Whether the remaining quartet will join the camp later remains unclear.
Historic Youth Season Opened the Door
The youngsters earned their promotion after helping Orlando Pirates enjoy a memorable 2025/26 DStv Diski Challenge campaign.
Under the guidance of coach Roscoe Krieling, the club lifted its first-ever DStv Diski Challenge title while rewriting the competition’s record books.
The young Buccaneers finished the season with an impressive 75 points, surpassing the previous record of 70 points that had been set by rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
That outstanding campaign convinced the club to give several academy stars an opportunity to showcase their potential with the senior side.
Chance to Impress the New Coaching Staff
The Spain training camp offers Derbyshire, Masilela and Padime an ideal platform to demonstrate they are ready for first-team football.
With Ouaddou beginning preparations for the new season, the pre-season programme gives the youngsters valuable exposure to the club’s tactical approach while allowing the coaching staff to assess their readiness for senior competition.
Strong performances during the camp could strengthen their chances of featuring in the first-team plans once the Betway Premiership season begins.
Orlando Pirates Continue Investing in Youth
The Buccaneers have built a reputation for trusting players developed through their academy system, with several recent graduates making successful transitions into senior football.
Players such as Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota all established themselves in the first team before securing opportunities to continue their careers abroad.
Their success has reinforced Orlando Pirates’ commitment to creating a clear pathway from the academy to professional football.
Fans Await the Next Generation
Supporters will now be watching closely to see how Derbyshire, Masilela and Padime perform during the Spanish training camp.
At the same time, there remains curiosity over whether Mphekgoane, Mhlambi, Mohlale and Dondolo will also join the squad before pre-season preparations conclude.
For the young players already in Spain, the coming weeks could prove to be a defining moment as they look to turn academy success into permanent places in Orlando Pirates’ senior setup.
