Radiopane strikes late as Orlando Pirates edge Las Palmas in Spanish pre-season test

Boitumelo Radiopane scored a late winner as Orlando Pirates claimed a 1-0 victory over Spanish side Las Palmas in a hard-fought pre-season friendly at the Marbella Football Center in Spain.

The 22-year-old forward, introduced from the bench for the final half-hour, struck with five minutes remaining to secure the South African club’s second straight win on their European tour and his second goal of pre-season.

Wholesale changes after Al-Ittihad test

Fresh from facing Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad earlier in the week, Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou significantly reshuffled his line-up for what was the club’s penultimate friendly of their Spanish camp.

New signings Ghampani Lungu, Neo Rapoo, Matome Mmolai, Mthetheleli Mthiyane and Sbangani Zulu were all handed starting berths as Ouaddou used the fixture to give minutes to recent arrivals and fringe players.

Young midfielder Camren Dansin was given the captain’s armband, leading a much-changed XI for the Soweto giants against a Las Palmas outfit playing their first friendly at the Marbella venue.

The changes meant Pirates took time to find rhythm, and Las Palmas saw most of the ball in the early stages. Despite their dominance in possession, the Spanish side created few clear-cut opportunities, with the match largely confined to midfield exchanges.

Dansin denied as Pirates grow into contest

As the first half progressed, Pirates began to settle and push further up the pitch, gradually turning defence into attack.

Their best chance of the opening period fell to stand-in skipper Dansin 10 minutes before the interval. Slipped through on goal by Mpho Padime, the midfielder found himself one-on-one, only to be thwarted by the Las Palmas goalkeeper, who stayed big to keep the scores level.

The missed opportunity underlined Pirates’ growing influence on the game, even as their experimental line-up continued to adjust to new combinations and tactical instructions.

Second-half substitutions lift Pirates

There was little change in Pirates’ overall approach immediately after the break, but Ouaddou again turned to his bench for the final 30 minutes in a bid to inject more attacking impetus.

Radiopane, Mariko, Masilela, Thapelo Xoki and Derbyshire were all introduced as the South African side sought a breakthrough.

The Buccaneers soon carved out another clear opening when Zimbabwe international Msendami broke in behind the Las Palmas defence. With only the goalkeeper to beat, he attempted a lob, but his effort drifted over the crossbar.

That miss looked as though it might prove costly as time ticked away, with Las Palmas continuing to enjoy long spells of possession without seriously testing the Pirates defence.

Radiopane delivers decisive moment

With five minutes left, Radiopane provided the decisive moment of quality that separated the sides.

Latching onto a ball played over the top of the Las Palmas back line, he quickly spotted the goalkeeper off his line and, showing notable composure, guided a measured strike from distance into the net to seal the win.

The goal was Radiopane’s second on tour and further strengthened his case for a prominent role when Pirates return to domestic action.

Focus turns to final friendly

The 1-0 victory follows the earlier workout against Al-Ittihad and gives Ouaddou more evidence of his squad’s depth and adaptability ahead of the new campaign.

Pirates will conclude their Spanish pre-season schedule against Noem FC on 24 July, as they continue fine-tuning fitness levels, integrating new signings and bedding in tactical changes before the competitive season begins.