Orlando Pirates Fall to Al-Ittihad in Spain Pre-Season Clash

Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou handed first starts to Bafana Bafana trio Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa, while Sihle Nduli and Lebone Seema were also included in an experimental line-up as the Buccaneers continued preparations for the new PSL season.

Al-Ittihad opened the scoring after 10 minutes when Morocco international Youssef En-Nesyri escaped his marker to head home Abdulrahman Al-Aboud’s cross beyond Sipho Chaine.

Pirates responded well and found an equaliser midway through the first half. Appollis picked out the returning Mbatha, who rifled a powerful effort from the edge of the box into the far corner to make it 1-1.

The Soweto giants enjoyed a strong spell after levelling and thought they had taken the lead when Tshepang Moremi found the back of the net, but the goal was ruled out. Al-Ittihad instead regained the advantage just before half-time as former Aston Villa winger Moussa Diaby latched onto Ahmed Al-Ghamdi’s pass and finished clinically.

Ouaddou made several changes after the break as he continued to assess his squad. Pirates dominated possession for long periods and searched for another equaliser, but struggled to break down a well-organised Saudi defence.

The match was effectively settled in the 84th minute when Pirates lost possession in a dangerous area. Roger Fernandes capitalised by setting up George Ilenikhena, who raced through before firing home to extend Al-Ittihad’s lead to 3-1.

Substitute Yanela Mbuthuma pulled one back late in the contest to give Pirates hope, but the Buccaneers could not find a second equaliser as their Spanish tour ended with a narrow defeat despite another encouraging attacking performance.