Pirates Fall To Bolton In Marbella Friendly

Orlando Pirates suffered their first pre-season defeat under new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou, losing 2-0 to English side Bolton Wanderers at the Marbella Football Center in Malaga on Friday.

Playing under Ouaddou, who replaced Jose Riveiro during the off-season, Pirates started the game by moving the ball well in the early exchanges. However, they failed to capitalize on their possession.

New signings Sipho Mbule, Sihle Nduli, and Tshepang Moremi all featured, with Mbule being a standout performer for Pirates, even though his long-range strike went wide.

Despite Pirates enjoying possession and territory, Bolton Wanderers opened the scoring in the 38th minute. George Thomason won a header to put the ball into the penalty area, and Charlie Warren finished superbly past Sipho Chaine.

Just before halftime, Relebohile Mofokeng delivered a curling free-kick, but Bolton goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe, on loan from Chelsea, made the save.

Second Half Struggles

Pirates made a full lineup change at the start of the second half to give more players game time. However, they lost the attacking “zip” they had in the first half. Bolton, a club historically home to figures like Sam Allardyce and Jay-Jay Okocha in the past, took full advantage.

The English side doubled their lead in the 63rd minute when George Johnston rose highest at the far post from a corner to head in their second goal. Goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi seemed caught off guard and his appeals to the referee for an impediment were in vain.

It was evident that Pirates’ numerous second-half changes impacted their fluidity. Even with the introductions of Evidence Makgopa, Tshegofatso Mabasa, and Oswin Appollis, who came on for Mofokeng on the right, Pirates struggled to create scoring opportunities. There was a clear lack of service to the forwards as Bolton controlled the game.

This loss marks Pirates’ first defeat in Spain across their last three pre-season camps.