Orlando Pirates broke a long-standing deadlock against UD Las Palmas on Wednesday, securing a 1-0 victory in Spain.
The two sides previously met in pre-season friendlies in 2023 and 2025, with both encounters finishing 0-0. After another 85 minutes of goalless action in their latest clash, Boitumelo Radiopane finally found the breakthrough to seal the win.
Squad Rotation and Match Flow
Following a 3-2 loss to Al-Ittihad just 24 hours earlier, head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made sweeping changes to his starting lineup. New signings Ghampani Lungu, Neo Rapoo, Matome Mmolai, Mthetheleli Mthiyane, and Sbangani Zulu all started. Young midfielder Camren Dansin captained the side.
The extensive rotation impacted early momentum:
- Las Palmas dominated early possession without creating major clear-cut opportunities.
- Pirates grew into the contest, with Dansin denied by keeper Jose Antonio Caro in the 35th minute.
- Ouaddou introduced substitutes midway through the second half, including Radiopane and Patrick Maswanganyi.
- Daniel Msendami missed a chance via a lob, but Radiopane scored in the 85th minute to grab his second goal of the tour.
It took 265 minutes of football across three years and three pre-season matches for the Buccaneers to finally score against the Spanish side.
Tactical Context and What Lies Ahead
Pre-season friendly results offer valuable context regarding squad depth and physical readiness ahead of competitive fixtures. Managing player workload while testing tactical setups remains a primary objective during international tours.
Pirates wrap up their Spain tour against Saudi Pro League side NEOM SC on Friday, July 24.
Upon returning home, the club will focus on domestic commitments:
- Opening their PSL title defense against Kruger United on August 1.
- Facing Durban City in the MTN8 quarterfinals on August 8.
Fans looking to analyze upcoming fixtures and betting markets can check out bettors.co.za predictions for detailed match insights.
Source: goal.com