Al-Ittihad edge Orlando Pirates in five-goal Marbella pre-season thriller

Orlando Pirates have suffered their first pre-season defeat in Spain, going down 3-2 to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad Club in an entertaining friendly in Marbella.

The South African treble winners, who are using their Spanish tour to tune up for the new campaign, had shown resilience in earlier games by rallying to draw with Cordoba and then edging Cadiz CF. But against star-studded Al-Ittihad, the Buccaneers’ fightback ultimately fell short.

En-Nesyri strikes early as Pirates chase the game

Al-Ittihad took control of the contest inside the opening 10 minutes. Moroccan international Youssef En-Nesyri escaped the attention of Pirates defender Nkosinathi Sibisi, meeting a teasing cross from the left side of the six-yard box and heading beyond goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.

Pirates attempted to respond swiftly. Bafana Bafana midfielder Oswin Appollis almost inspired an equaliser, latching onto a one-two with Patrick Maswanganyi and unleashing a first-time volley from the edge of the penalty area. His effort, however, drifted wide as Al-Ittihad held their lead.

The pressure from the Soweto side intensified as the half progressed. Shortly before the scheduled hydration break, their persistence was rewarded. Thalente Mbatha arrived on the far side of the box and drove a powerful shot from just outside the area into the bottom corner, bringing Pirates level.

Diaby restores Saudi lead before interval

As the interval approached, Al-Ittihad reasserted themselves. On the stroke of half-time, Moussa Diaby controlled a forward pass in the final third, rode a challenge from Lebone Seema and calmly slotted past the outstretched arm of Chaine to make it 2-1 to the Saudi club.

That late setback forced Pirates to regroup at the break, with the coaching staff opting for significant changes ahead of the restart.

Second-half changes and late drama

Pirates refreshed their line-up with a trio of substitutions at half-time, introducing Bohlale Ngwato, Abdoulaye Mariko and Simphiwe Selepe in an attempt to shift the momentum.

The alterations nearly paid off immediately. Tshepang Moremi broke in behind the Al-Ittihad defence after being slipped through on goal but was unable to convert the one-on-one opportunity, missing the chance to level the score for a second time.

Al-Ittihad responded by pushing to extend their advantage. Roger Fernandes found space on the far side of the area and cut the ball back before curling a shot that forced a sharp save from Chaine, as play began to flow from end to end.

The Saudi side eventually claimed a third goal in the closing stages. Substitute George Ilenikhena received a pass from Fernandes on the edge of the box, shifted the ball toward the near side under pressure from the defence and drilled a powerful effort into the top corner.

Pirates, however, refused to leave empty-handed. In the final minute, Yanela Mbuthuma sprinted onto a low cutback from the right by Mpho Padime and finished from close range to reduce the deficit, but there was no time to chase an equaliser as the match ended 3-2 to Al-Ittihad.

Mixed Spanish tour continues for Buccaneers

The result underlines a mixed but competitive pre-season so far for Orlando Pirates, whose Spanish tour is designed to test their squad against diverse European and Middle Eastern opposition.

The Buccaneers’ preparations will continue in the coming days with further fixtures in Spain:

– 22 July: Las Palmas FC – 24 July: Noem FC

These remaining matches will provide additional opportunities for the coaching staff to assess new combinations, build fitness and sharpen tactics ahead of the new domestic season, as Pirates look to defend their treble and improve their performances on the continental stage.