By Robert Matakanye,

South African Absa Premier League side Orlando Pirates made the trip to Zambia today to get their pre-season camp in the Southern Africa underway.Pirates will be playing two friendly games in Ndola against DRC giants TP Mazembe and local side Forest Rangers

Orlando Pirates hoping to use  the visit to strengthen partnership with a lot of Zambia clubs as well as prepare adequately for the Premier Soccer League.

According to Media Officer of Pirates Thandi Merafe the two clubs of Zambia will give them the needed test ahead of next season.

“TP Mazembe and Forest Ranges are of the toughest opponents and we really wanted to play them.”

“We really wanted to play them,We really knows about them.The Buccaneers  recently signed Zambians’  duo Justin Shonga and Augstine Mulenga” he added.

Head coach Milutin Sredojevic has given an update on how the squad is looking ahead of the new season.

“We are in the building phase of our pre-season. This is the stage where we lay down the foundation for the season that lies ahead,” the coach told the club’s website.

“We had a successful trip to Nelspruit where we got to blend the old and new players together, and now we are off to Zambia where we’ll continue to strengthen all departments by exposing them to different playing conditions and of course stronger opposition,” said the coach.