Bucs have scored five goals in the three matches played, conceding three and registering one win and two draws in the process.
Orlando Pirates were held to a one-all-draw by Granada on Wednesday evening in a friendly game staged at the Banus Football Center in Marbella.
In the early proceedings, Sipho Chaine had to be at his best to keep the Sea Robbers in the game as the Spanish second-tier outfit attacked with every chance they got. However, Bucs eventually settled and gave as much as they received, with players growing in confidence.
The Nedbank Cup champions managed to get their first goal in the 20th minute. Patrick Maswanganyi managed to dispossess the opponent before setting up new signing Gilberto. The former Petro de Luanda and Angola international Gilberto composed himself before beating Marc Martinez in the Granada goal.
It was the winger's first goal in the Buccaneers' colours and a glimpse of what he will bring to the team.
Mthethwa blunder saves Granada
However, Granada were back on level terms less than two minutes later from a seemingly harmless situation.
Sandile Mthethwa received the ball on the left before attempting to switch it to the opposite side. There was not enough power on the ball and it eventually fell on the feet of Shon Weissman who had no problem beating Chaine from 12 yards out.
Bucs came back stronger after the break, playing some neat short passes before initiating some dangerous moves, but they just couldn't get the ball into the back of the net.
The 2023/24 Premier Soccer League's Golden Boot winner Tshegofatso Mabasa had a massive chance to win it for Pirates in the 65th minute. He managed to beat goalkeeper Luca Zidane, who was making his debut after joining from Eibar, but the defender was in the right place to make a goal-line clearance.
The Jose Riveiro-led side are yet to lose a game in the pre-season; they drew 2-2 with Plymouth Argyle before beating Sevilla 2-0.
