By 
MARBELLA, SPAIN — Orlando Pirates suffered their first setback on Spanish soil, narrowly succumbing 3-2 to Saudi Arabian powerhouses Al-Ittihad in a pulse-pounding pre-season clash at the Banús Football Center on Tuesday night.
In a high-intensity showdown between two former continental champions, both backlines were pushed to their limits. Fresh off an unbeaten start to their tour, the Sea Robbers tested their mettle against the two-time Asian champions in a fixture that proved to be a stern benchmark for the South African side.
The Buccaneers carved out early opportunities through Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, and Thalente Mbatha, but failed to hit the mark. The Tigers, however, proved clinical. Inside ten minutes, Abdulrahman Al-Aboud unpicked the Pirates defense, squaring for Youssef En-Nesyri to slot past Sipho Chaine for the opener.
Unfazed, Jose Riveiro’s men surged forward. Oswin Appollis first tested Serbian international Predrag Rajković, but the goalkeeper was powerless to stop Pirates’ 26th-minute equalizer. Following patient buildup around the box, Mbatha uncorked a trademark long-range pile-driver to draw the Soweto giants level.
Pirates dictated terms for the remainder of the half, with Appollis and Makgopa both threatening. Yet, true to the cruel nature of the match, Al-Ittihad struck against the run of play seconds before the halftime whistle, as former French international Moussa Diaby restored the Saudi side’s lead.
The Buccaneers emerged after the restart with renewed vigor. Substitute keeper Mohammed Al Absi was forced into an early save by Moremi, while Chaine responded at the other end with a superb stop to keep the deficit at one.
As Riveiro shuffled his pack on the hour mark—introducing fresh legs including Siyabonga Dladla and Simphiwe Masilela—Pirates kept pushing. Masilela went close twice, but Al-Ittihad landed what seemed to be the decisive blow when George Ilenikhena slipped one past Dladla to make it 3-1.
Refusing to go quietly into the Spanish night, Pirates demonstrated remarkable resolve. Deep into stoppage time, substitute forward Yanela Mbuthuma pounced inside the box, firing past Al Absi to cut the margin to one.
Unfortunately for the South African champions, time ran out before a dramatic comeback could materialize. While the result breaks their unbeaten run, the Buccaneers will draw immense encouragement from a spirited, competitive performance against world-class opposition.
Match Summary
- Result: Orlando Pirates 2–3 Al-Ittihad
- Pirates Goals: Mbatha (26’), Mbuthuma (90+’)
- Al-Ittihad Goals: En-Nesyri (10’), Diaby (45’), Ilenikhena
- Pirates Lineup: Chaine (Dladla 63’), Seema (Zulu 63’), Sibisi (Xoki 63’), Van Rooyen, Ndaba, Nduli (Selepe 46’), Mbatha (Mariko 46’), Maswanganyi (Masilela 63’), Appollis (Ngwato 46’), Moremi (Padime 63’), Makgopa (Mbuthuma 63’).
