Orlando Pirates midfielder Cemran Dansin says captaining the side on their pre-season tour in Spain has underlined the club’s faith in young players, after he led the team to victory over Las Palmas.
The 21-year-old wore the armband in one of the Buccaneers’ friendlies against the Spanish side and oversaw a 1-0 win, secured by a late strike from Boitumelo Radiopane.
Speaking to former Orlando Pirates player Michael Morton after the match, Dansin reflected on the responsibility of leading the team and the way the side grew into the game.
“It was nice, we started a bit slow, got into the game including the new players who still need to gel,” said Dansin.
“So, we got comfortable as the game went on. Towards the end of first half, we started understanding [each other], creating chances and getting into the game.
“I think we could have killed the game in the first half, looking at the chances we created. I feel like we had more chances than opponents, so we deserved a win.”
Young captain credits senior core
Dansin’s appointment as captain for the fixture highlighted the depth of leadership within the squad, and he was quick to acknowledge the influence of the more experienced players around him.
After guiding the side to victory, the midfielder said the club’s culture of trusting emerging talent made his task easier.
“Obviously, Pirates believe in giving young players opportunities, when you’re given one, you should always do your best,” he added.
“There are many leaders in the team, and we learn from them, try and grow and better every time.”
While Dansin’s role in Spain will prompt questions over the club’s long-term captaincy plans, coaches and staff have not indicated any formal change in leadership. Instead, the pre-season armband was used as part of broader preparations and to test different combinations on and off the pitch.
Mixed results, positive outlook in Spain
Orlando Pirates have now completed their pre-season tour of Spain, where they played five matches as part of their build-up to the new campaign.
Under the guidance of Abdeslam Ouaddou, the Buccaneers recorded two wins, two defeats and one draw during their stay in Europe.
With that record, Ouaddou is expected to be broadly satisfied with the team’s progress, particularly with several new signings bedding in and younger players such as Dansin taking on added responsibility.
Domestic season and transfers on the horizon
Attention now turns to a demanding domestic and continental schedule, with Orlando Pirates facing a long season in which they will compete on five different fronts.
Their league campaign begins next Saturday, when they host top-flight newcomers Milford FC at the Orlando Amstel Arena. Pirates will be aiming to carry their pre-season momentum into that opener and start their league season with a win.
The club have already moved decisively in the transfer market, bringing in seven new players ahead of the campaign.
However, their business may not be over. Pirates have been linked with Polokwane City defender Thabang Matuludi as a possible further addition to Abdeslam Ouaddou’s squad.
It is not yet clear whether that move will materialise, but the Buccaneers’ pursuit of Matuludi has been compared internally to the way they managed to secure Oswin Appollis last year.
For now, Dansin’s emergence as a pre-season captain and the solid, if mixed, results in Spain have provided Orlando Pirates with a platform on which to build as they prepare for the challenges of five competitions in the coming months.
