Youthful Pirates Edge Las Palmas As Late Stunner Rescues A Win

Orlando Pirates returned to winning ways on their pre-season tour of Spain with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Las Palmas at the Marbella Football Centre on Wednesday evening.

The victory came in Pirates’ fourth match in as many days following a 1-1 draw against Córdoba, a win over Cádiz and Tuesday’s defeat to Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad, with all four fixtures played at the same venue.

The Buccaneers will wrap up their pre-season tour on Friday against Noem FC before returning to South Africa to begin their 2026/27 Betway Premiership campaign at home against newly promoted Milford FC.

Head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou fielded a youthful starting XI against the Spanish side, with Yanela Mbuthuma the only regular first-team player from last season included in the lineup. Youngster Camrin Dansin captained the side and produced a composed performance.

Despite their inexperience, Pirates made a confident start and enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, creating several promising attacks but lacking the finishing touch to break the deadlock.

Their best opportunity of the first half came in the 35th minute when Neo Rapoo whipped in an inviting left-footed cross from the left flank into the six-yard area. Gamphani Lungu met the delivery, but his right-footed effort struck the outside of the net.

Pirates continued to dominate possession and almost found the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time. Daniel Msendami spotted goalkeeper Caro Ja off his line and attempted an audacious right-footed effort from outside the penalty area, but his shot crashed against the crossbar as the teams went into the break level.

The Soweto giants maintained their attacking intent after the restart and thought they had opened the scoring in the 65th minute. Msendami raced through on goal before calmly slotting the ball into the net, only for the assistant referee to raise the offside flag.

Five minutes later, Msendami was involved again when he appeared to be pulled down inside the penalty area by Las Palmas defender Víctor Villote. However, the referee waved away the appeals, much to the frustration of the Pirates players.

Pirates eventually found the decisive goal five minutes from time when Boitumelo Radiopane beat Las Palmas’ goalkeeper, who was off his line, with a caressed finish.

Las Palmas almost snatched a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time when 19-year-old Valentín Pezzolesi unleashed a fierce right-footed effort from inside the box.

Fortunately for Pirates, the shot crashed against the crossbar, allowing the Buccaneers to see out the match and secure a deserved win ahead of their final pre-season fixture.