On Thursday, Orlando Pirates defeated Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 to earn their first victory of their preseason training in Spain.
To establish a preseason base camp until July 21, the Buccaneers flew into Spain last weekend. At the Marbella Football Center on Thursday, they took on Maccabi Tel Aviv in their first camp-related friendly game.
fresh signing Four minutes before halftime, Patrick Maswanganyi scored to put one team ahead of the other.
The Buccaneers’ performance was encouraging as they gear up for greater obligations, such as playing in the Caf Champions League, in the upcoming campaign.
Maswanganyi is the sole newly acquired player in the starting lineup, according to coach Jose Riveiro. Pirates’ starting lineup included well-known players like Sipho Chaine, Thembinkosi Lorch, Thabang Monare, captain-of-the-day Tapelo Xoki, and Nkosinathi Sibisi.
Evidence Makgopa experienced a patchy start. The other two newcomers, midfielders Katlego Otladisa and Siphelo Baloni, were given playing time after being added as second-half substitutes.
While center-back Derrick Luckassen was receiving medical attention away from the field, Maswanganyi took advantage of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s numerical disadvantage to side-foot the ball into the goal from the center of the box.
The second friendly game between Pirates and Independiente Valle from Ecuador will now take place on Saturday.
Pirates will then play Las Palmas in the La Liga on July 19 to wrap up their trip to Spain.