Orlando Pirates continued their encouraging pre-season form in Spain with a 1-0 win over La Liga side UD Las Palmas, secured by an assured finish from in-form striker Boitumelo Radiopane.
The South African champions, on tour in Spain ahead of the new Betway Premiership campaign, responded strongly after a narrow 3-2 defeat to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ittihad the previous day.
Radiopane struck the decisive goal at the Marbella Football Center on Wednesday, capitalising on sustained pressure from the Buccaneers in the final third to separate the sides in a physically demanding contest.
The result extends a promising run of performances for Abdeslam Ouaddou’s team, who have now faced a mix of Spanish and Middle Eastern opposition as they sharpen their fitness and tactics for the new season.
Radiopane continues standout pre-season form
Radiopane has emerged as one of the key figures of Pirates’ European tour, adding to his tally after previously scoring in the 1-1 draw with Cordoba CF.
The forward found the net again against Las Palmas with a composed, clinical strike, underlining his growing confidence in front of goal and strengthening his case for a leading role when the competitive season begins.
Orlando Pirates applied consistent attacking pressure in the final third and were rewarded when Radiopane took his chance, his finish ultimately proving enough to decide a tightly balanced affair.
Pirates show discipline and resilience
Both Orlando Pirates and UD Las Palmas took the opportunity to rotate their squads, with coaches on each side keen to give minutes to a broad range of players as preparations intensify.
Despite the changes, Pirates remained compact and disciplined out of possession. Their defensive organisation restricted Las Palmas to limited clear-cut chances, while the South Africans looked increasingly assertive as the match wore on.
The performance was viewed as a positive reaction from Ouaddou’s players after the previous day’s defeat to Al-Ittihad, in which Pirates lost 3-2 in another closely contested encounter.
Mixed but promising tour record in Spain
The victory over Las Palmas was the fourth match of Orlando Pirates’ pre-season schedule in Spain.
They began the tour with a 1-1 draw against Cordoba CF, followed by a 2-1 win over Cadiz CF. That was then followed by the narrow 3-2 loss to Al-Ittihad, before Pirates returned to winning ways against Las Palmas.
The series has given Ouaddou and his staff the opportunity to test different combinations, formations and tactical approaches against varied styles of opposition.
Final tune-up before Betway Premiership title defence
Orlando Pirates are set to conclude their pre-season tour against Saudi Arabian club NEOM SC on Friday, 24 July 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00.
That fixture will be the Buccaneers’ final match before they begin the defence of their Betway Premiership title on 1 August.
With Radiopane in form and the team showing signs of cohesion in both attack and defence, focus will now turn to whether Pirates can carry their pre-season momentum into the competitive campaign and sustain another title challenge.
