Radiopane stunner gives Orlando Pirates late win over Las Palmas in Spain

Orlando Pirates’ young side claimed a notable scalp on their European pre-season tour, edging Spanish Segunda Division club Las Palmas 1-0 thanks to a late strike from Boitumelo Radiopane at the Marbella Football Center.

The victory was Pirates’ second win on tour and, crucially, their first clean sheet of the trip, as coach Abdeslam Ouaddou’s developmental line-up showed maturity and composure against seasoned European opposition.

Radiopane punishes Las Palmas late on

The match remained goalless until the closing stages, despite both teams striking the woodwork and fashioning clear chances.

Las Palmas twice hit the post and the crossbar in the final 10 minutes as they pressed for a breakthrough, but it was Pirates who delivered the decisive blow.

Radiopane, introduced in the second half, produced the game’s only goal after noticing the Las Palmas goalkeeper off his line. The forward seized on the opportunity and punished the Spanish side with a composed finish, capping a disciplined display from the Betway Premiership champions.

Earlier in the second period, Radiopane had already signalled his intent, breaking into the box three minutes after the hour mark before being halted by the Las Palmas defence. A minute later, Daniel Msendami also went close but failed to hit the target with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Young Pirates side shows composure

Ouaddou opted to field a largely youthful XI, handing the captain’s armband to Cemran Dansin for the encounter.

Pirates controlled much of the first half, dominating possession and carving out more chances than their Spanish opponents. Inside the opening five minutes, Yanela Mbuthuma forced an early save, though his attempt proved comfortable for the Las Palmas goalkeeper.

The South Africans had to negotiate some anxious moments at the back. In the 10th minute, Manuel Fuster fired narrowly wide for Las Palmas. Then, on 21 minutes, a loose back-pass from Sbangani Zulu to goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla almost proved costly. Dladla’s attempted pass out of defence went straight to Elias Romero, who failed to capitalise, missing the target.

As the half wore on, Pirates regained control. Neo Rapoo combined neatly with Ghampani Lungu in the final 10 minutes of the period, only for the Zambian to hit the side-netting. Soon after, Mpho Padime created another opening, setting up Dansin, but the Las Palmas keeper kept the shot out with his feet.

Woodwork denies Msendami before the break

Pirates’ best chance of the first half came in stoppage time. Dansin linked up with Msendami, who unleashed a powerful effort that beat the goalkeeper but crashed against the crossbar, leaving the sides level at 0-0 at half-time.

Ouaddou made a change at the interval, bringing on Andre De Jong for Matome Mmolai. The early stages of the second half were more subdued, with both sides restricting each other to half-chances.

The game then opened up in the final half-hour, culminating in Radiopane’s match-winning intervention after Las Palmas had been denied by the woodwork at the other end.

Tour finale against Saudi opposition

The result continues a positive pre-season for Pirates in Europe, with the clean sheet likely to please Ouaddou as much as the win itself, given the youthful nature of his selection.

Pirates will conclude their tour on Friday when they face Saudi Pro League side Neom SC, offering another opportunity for fringe and emerging players to impress before the new Betway Premiership campaign.

Line-ups

Orlando Pirates starting XI: Siyabonga Dladla; Chabatsane, Sbangani Zulu, Neo Rapoo, Ghampani Lungu; Mthiyane, Cemran Dansin (c), Matome Mmolai; Daniel Msendami, Mpho Padime, Yanela Mbuthuma

Substitutes: Monyepao, Xoki, Derbyshire, Mariko, Andre De Jong, Masilela, Boitumelo Radiopane