Orlando Pirates’ DStv Diski Challenge champions confirmed for European Winners Tour

Orlando Pirates’ DStv Diski Challenge champions will travel to Europe in August after the Premier Soccer League confirmed the fixtures for the club’s nine-day Winners Tour.

The reserve side secured its first DStv Diski Challenge title in historic fashion, beating closest rivals Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 on the final day of the season. Their victory also saw the young Buccaneers set a new league record by finishing with 75 points.

The European trip, organised with the backing of broadcast sponsors MultiChoice, will give the champions the opportunity to test themselves against opposition from the Netherlands and Japan.

Pirates will begin their overseas programme against SBV Vitesse Arnhem on 18 August 2026. Two days later, on 20 August, they will face De Graafschap before completing the tour on 22 August.

The final assignment will take the form of a mini-tournament involving Dutch club Sparta Rotterdam and Japan’s Yamanashi Gakuin. The fixtures form part of a nine-day Winners Tour arranged for the DStv Diski Challenge champions.

The squad heading to Europe, however, is expected to look significantly different from the group that delivered the title. Orlando Pirates have made major changes to their development structures during the winter break, with several key players moving closer to the senior team.

Among those promoted is highly rated midfielder Mpho Padime, who has been identified as one of the leading young players to make the step into Orlando Pirates’ first-team setup.

The champions will also be without a number of notable performers from last season. Winger Seth Green, who impressed during the title-winning campaign, has officially left the Sea Robbers and joined Durban City.

Jabulani Mokone is another departure from the DStv Diski Challenge squad. He has moved to Midlands Wanderers on loan ahead of the European fixtures.

Despite those changes, Pirates’ successful campaign was built on a strong collective effort, with defensive players Christian Derbyshire and Moses Mphekgoane among the standout performers for the Soweto club.

Their contribution helped Orlando Pirates maintain an outstanding run throughout the season and finish at the top of the standings ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns. The 2-0 victory over Sundowns on the final day ultimately confirmed the club’s breakthrough DStv Diski Challenge championship.

The European tour will now offer a new-look group of young Buccaneers the chance to continue that momentum against established international opposition. The opening meeting with SBV Vitesse Arnhem will be followed by the De Graafschap fixture before Pirates face Sparta Rotterdam and Yamanashi Gakuin in the concluding mini-tournament.