Pirates Kick Off Spanish Pre-Season Tour With Gritty Draw Against Córdoba CF
Orlando Pirates initiated their European pre-season campaign with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Spanish Segunda División outfit Córdoba CF at the Marbella Football Center on Wednesday evening.
Returning to Spain for another high-profile European camp, Jose Riveiro’s side will regret not securing a statement victory after squandering several gilt-edged opportunities—most notably through forward Tshepang Moremi.
What was Orlando Pirates’ starting lineup without Relebohile Mofokeng?
This fixture marked the Buccaneers’ first match in the post-Relebohile Mofokeng era. The teenage prodigy recently completed a blockbuster transfer to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise following his standout performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Mofokeng was the crown jewel of the Pirates side that completed an extraordinary domestic treble last season, clinching their first league title in 14 years and snapping Mamelodi Sundowns’ eight-year stranglehold on the premiership.
With central defender Nkosinathi Sibisi rested after representing Bafana Bafana at the World Cup, playmaker Patrick “Tito” Maswanganyi captained the Sea Robbers in Marbella.
How did Boitumelo Radiopane rescue a draw for the Buccaneers?
Despite a dominant first-half display, the Buccaneers failed to convert their superiority into goals. They paid the price in the 68th minute when defensive hesitation inside the penalty area allowed Javi Antrás to fire a clinical, left-footed strike past goalkeeper Sipho Chaine.
However, the Soweto giants responded swiftly. Pirates pressed Córdoba high up the pitch, forcing goalkeeper Carlos Marín into a critical error that Boitumelo Radiopane ruthlessly punished, slotting the ball into an empty net to level the score.
Pirates pushed hard for a late winner. In the 83rd minute, Tshepang Moremi broke through the Spanish defense on a brilliant counter-attack, only for a last-gasp recovery slide to deflect his effort out for a corner. Moremi had one final look at goal in stoppage time, but Córdoba’s defense stood firm to share the spoils.
Who do Orlando Pirates play next in Spain?
The Buccaneers will continue their Iberian tour when they face La Liga 2 side Cádiz CF on Saturday, 18 July —a fixture that coincides with Mandela Day celebrations back home in South Africa.
