Pirates fall to NEOM as Spanish pre-season tour ends in narrow defeat

Orlando Pirates closed out their pre-season tour of Spain with a 1-0 defeat to Saudi Pro League side NEOM at the Marbella Football Center on Friday night, as a first-half free-kick from Said Benrahma proved decisive.

The South African club, preparing for the 2026/27 Betway Premiership, were undone in the 31st minute when Benrahma struck an audacious set-piece at the near post, beating goalkeeper Sipho Chaine to give NEOM the lead.

Pirates, coached by Abdeslam Ouaddou, created chances in both halves but were unable to convert, with opportunities for Tshepang Moremi and Boitumelo Radiopane going begging as NEOM held firm to close out the win.

Early openings at both ends

NEOM almost seized the initiative inside the opening 10 minutes after Thalente Mbatha was caught in possession just outside his own penalty area. The Saudi club quickly capitalised on the turnover and worked a clear sight of goal, but the effort failed to hit the target despite Chaine being comprehensively beaten.

Moments later, Pirates threatened at the other end. Moremi timed his run well to beat the offside trap and raced through on goal, only to see his attempted lob over the advancing goalkeeper drift over the crossbar.

The opening exchanges set the tone for an open contest, but it was NEOM who found the breakthrough before the interval through Benrahma’s moment of quality from a dead-ball situation.

Benrahma strikes as NEOM seize control

Just past the half-hour mark, NEOM won a free-kick in a dangerous position. Benrahma stepped up and bent a clever effort towards Chaine’s near post, catching the Pirates keeper out and putting the Saudi Pro League outfit 1-0 up.

The forward nearly doubled his tally shortly after half-time. Picking up the ball inside the area, Benrahma fired from close range, only to see his shot cannon off the crossbar with Chaine beaten.

That let-off kept Pirates in the game, but they struggled to turn spells of possession into clear chances against a disciplined NEOM defence.

Pirates waste chances in chase for equaliser

The Buccaneers fashioned a half-chance to level in the 55th minute following a scramble on the edge of the NEOM box. The loose ball broke for Radiopane, who had space to shoot, but his effort went wide of the upright.

With 20 minutes remaining, Pirates were handed another opportunity from a free-kick of their own. Mbatha took responsibility from the set-piece, but he could not find the target, sending his attempt off line as NEOM’s one-goal advantage remained intact.

Despite late pressure, Ouaddou’s side were unable to break down NEOM’s back line, who managed the closing stages effectively to see out the victory.

Focus turns to Betway Premiership kick-off

The defeat brought an end to Pirates’ pre-season commitments in Spain, where they have been fine-tuning preparations for the new domestic campaign.

The Soweto club now return to South Africa to complete their build-up before the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season gets under way next month, with Ouaddou looking to turn productive pre-season minutes into competitive form when the league campaign begins.