Orlando Pirates finish Spanish pre-season tour on a high

Orlando Pirates wrapped up their Spanish pre-season tour on a high note, scoring twice in the dying minutes to secure a 2-0 win over Granada CF in a friendly encounter on Saturday evening.

The victory at the Marbella Football Centre marked the Soweto giants’ first win of their European training camp, following three previous matches without a victory.

It also served as a morale booster ahead of the upcoming Betway Premiership 2025/26 season.

Despite having faced the Andalusian outfit ahead of last season – a 1-1 draw – this encounter started tentatively, with both teams struggling to create early chances.

Failed to convert

Orlando Pirates’ first real opportunity fell to left-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi in the 24th minute, but the youngster failed to convert after sustained pressure.

Striker Boitumelo Radiopane followed up with a close-range header minutes later, though his effort lacked the power to trouble Granada ‘keeper Luca Zidane.

Mbokazi had another golden opportunity before the break, but miscued his shot after being played through by Karim Kimvuidi.

Granada threatened just before half-time, but Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine produced a vital save to keep the scores level.

Chaine was called into action again early in the second half before being replaced by Siyabonga Dladla in the 61st minute.

Dominated the second half

The Buccaneers, led by substitutes Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Yanela Mbuthuma, dominated the second half.

Mofokeng missed a promising chance in the 56th minute, while Granada nearly stole the lead in the 78th minute, only to be denied by the crossbar.

Orland Pirates finally broke the deadlock in the 82nd minute through Maswanganyi, who calmly slotted home from inside the box after a well-worked move.

The South Africans doubled their lead at the 90-minute mark when Mofokeng rounded the ‘keeper and buried the ball into an empty net to seal the win.

The result kept Orlando Pirates unbeaten in their last three pre-season fixtures, and ends their European stint on a positive note.

They will now return to South Africa to complete preparations ahead of their MTN8 title defence, which kicks off with a home fixture against Polokwane City.

Orlando Pirates XI

Chaine (Dladla 61’), Xoki (Sibisi 46’), Seema (Ndlozi 46’), Mashiloane (Van Rooyen 46’), Mbokazi (Ndaba 46’), Selepe (Nduli 46’), Mbule (Dlamini 46’), Kwayiba (Dansin 46’), Moremi (Mofokeng 46’), Kimvuidi (Maswanganyi 46’), Radiopane (Mbuthuma 46’)