Orlando Pirates DDC champions to begin Netherlands tour

Orlando Pirates reserve players will travel to the Netherlands for a nine-day Winners Tour from August 14 to August 23. The trip follows the Buccaneers securing their first DStv Diski Challenge title. They clinched the championship on the final day of the season with a 2-0 win against Mamelodi Sundowns at Dobsonville Stadium.

The tour includes four matches and two live Eredivisie fixtures. The squad will attend a top-flight match at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam on August 16. They will also watch a game at the Sparta Stadion on August 22.

Competitive action begins on August 18 at the Papendal training complex, where Pirates will play SBV Vitesse Arnhem. On August 20, the team travels to the Bezelhorst training complex in Doetinchem to face De Graafschap. The tour concludes in Rotterdam on August 22 with a mini-tournament at the Robey Academy.

During the tournament in Rotterdam, the South African champions will compete against Sparta Rotterdam and Japan's Yamanashi Gakuin High School. This schedule allows the players to face different footballing styles and youth development systems in Europe.

This trip serves as a reward for the club's historic season. After defeating Mamelodi Sundowns to win the league, the squad will now gain exposure to international footballing philosophies through these scheduled fixtures and matches.