Orlando Pirates have included three of their DStv Diski Challenge title-winning youngsters in the senior squad for the club’s pre-season camp in Málaga, Spain.
The reigning 2025/26 Betway Premiership champions are back in Spain for the fourth successive pre-season and are set to play five friendly matches during their stay.
Academy products Cristian Derbyshire, Simphiwe Masilela and Mpho Padime have all made the trip after helping the Buccaneers’ reserve team win the DStv Diski Challenge title last season.
Pirates youngsters rewarded with first-team opportunity
The three youngsters will now have an opportunity to train alongside the senior squad and impress head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou during the club’s preparations for the new campaign.
They have been joined in Spain by several new arrivals, including Ghampani Lungu, Neo Rapoo and Mthetheleli Mthiyane, as Pirates continue shaping their squad ahead of the 2026/27 season.
For Derbyshire, Masilela and Padime, the trip represents another significant step in their development following their success at reserve-team level.
Orlando Pirates academy pathway remains strong
Pirates have shown increasing faith in their academy in recent years, with several youngsters successfully making the step up to senior football.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota are among the most notable recent examples. All three established themselves at first-team level before eventually securing moves abroad.
The latest call-ups will give Derbyshire, Masilela and Padime a chance to follow a similar pathway as they work to make an impression during the club’s pre-season camp.
Supporters will also be watching to see whether other youngsters who impressed in the DDC-winning side could receive opportunities with the senior squad during the new season.