Orlando Pirates’ unbeaten pre-season run came to an end in dramatic fashion as they slipped to a 3-2 defeat against Saudi Pro League heavyweights Al-Ittihad in a high-tempo friendly in Spain on Tuesday evening.
The Soweto side twice found themselves behind and dominated large spells of possession, but late goals at either end of the match ultimately decided an encounter that offered plenty of encouragement despite the result.
Thalente Mbatha and Yanela Mbuthuma were on the scoresheet for the Buccaneers, while Youssef En-Nesyri, Moussa Diaby and Elye Wahi Ilenikhenas struck for Al-Ittihad.
High-intensity start, early setback
Orlando Pirates began with authority, moving the ball quickly and pressing aggressively to win it back almost as soon as they lost it. Their intensity without the ball repeatedly forced Al-Ittihad into hurried clearances and rushed passes.
But against the run of play, the Saudi club struck first in the 10th minute. Youssef En-Nesyri met a cross from the left with a superb diving header after Nkosinathi Sibisi failed to close down the crosser and Yanga Seema was caught out of position, leaving the Morocco international free to steer the ball beyond Sipho Chaine.
Pirates, however, responded strongly. Oswin Appollis forced the goalkeeper into action with a volley in the 22nd minute, and two minutes later Seema surged forward from the back to release Tshegofatso Moremi, whose strike was blocked at close range.
Mbatha levels as Pirates take control
The pressure finally told in the 26th minute. Appollis beat his marker on the flank before picking out Patrick Maswanganyi, who laid the ball neatly into the path of Mbatha on the edge of the area. The midfielder drilled a low shot into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
Pirates continued to slice through the Al-Ittihad defence with slick combination play, with Appollis, Maswanganyi and Moremi regularly linking up. Moremi thought he had capped one fluent move with an impressive finish, only to see the assistant’s flag rule the effort out for offside.
Despite Orlando Pirates’ dominance in possession, it was Al-Ittihad who went into the break ahead. On the stroke of half-time, Moussa Diaby was left completely unmarked at the far post after the Pirates backline shifted across to the opposite side, allowing him a simple finish for 2-1.
Changes fail to alter flow – but not the result
Coach Helmi Ouaddou made a triple substitution at half-time, introducing Simphiwe Selepe, Abdoulaye Mariko and Bohlale Ngwato for Tshepo Nduli, Mbatha and Appollis. The changes did little to disrupt Pirates’ rhythm as they maintained control of the ball after the restart.
Moremi almost restored parity in the 47th minute, only to be denied by an excellent save with the goalkeeper’s foot. Al-Ittihad created few clear chances in the second half, though they did force Chaine into a brilliant stop from a fierce drive just after the hour mark.
Ouaddou then rang the changes again in the 63rd minute, sending on fresh legs including Melusi Dladla, Sbangani Zulu and Tapelo Xoki among several other substitutes. Pirates continued to play the more progressive football but could not find the ruthless touch required in front of goal.
They were punished in the 84th minute when Elye Wahi Ilenikhenas slipped in behind Zulu, drove into the channel and unleashed a powerful left-footed strike to extend Al-Ittihad’s lead to 3-1.
Late consolation as unbeaten run ends
Orlando Pirates refused to fade and were rewarded with a consolation deep into stoppage time. Padi delivered an early cross into the area, and substitute Yanela Mbuthuma reacted sharply to convert from close range.
The goal reduced the deficit to 3-2 but came too late to salvage the Buccaneers’ unbeaten pre-season record.
Despite the loss, the performance – marked by confident buildup play, aggressive pressing and sustained dominance against one of Asia’s top clubs – will give Pirates’ technical team encouragement as preparations continue ahead of the new campaign.
