Orlando Pirates defeated, Sundowns’ new boy on target as pre-season continues

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Orlando Pirates defeated, Sundowns’ new boy on target as pre-season continues
Orlando Pirates vs Al-Ittihad, Image: Pirates

Premier Soccer League champions Orlando Pirates fell 3-2 to Al-Ittihad in their third friendly game played on Tuesday night.

It was the third pre-season outing for the Soweto giants who started their preparations for the new campaign with a 1-1 draw with Cordoba, before coming from a goal down to emerge 2-1 victors in the second outing against Cadiz.

On Tuesday evening, as expected, coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made a couple of changes to his squad as he continues to work on his tactics for the forthcoming edition.

A five-goal thriller

Just like the game against Cadiz, the Buccaneers took time to settle, giving their opponents time to dictate the tempo and proceedings of the game.

Experienced Morocco international striker Youssef En-Nesyri needed 10 minutes to put his team in front, as he headed in a cross from the left.

Pirates were on level terms in the 26th minute thanks to Thalente Mbatha’s rocket from the edge of the 18-yard box.

In the stroke of halftime, Al-Ittihad reclaimed their lead courtesy of the 27-year-old French attacker Moussa Diaby, who was let loose in the area by the South African champions.

With five minutes to go, Bucs conceded another one as George Ilenikhena danced passed the defenders before finding the back of the net.

The Sea Robbers were determined to make the scoreline respectable, as Yanela Mbuthuma made it 3-2 with a 93rd minute strike

Sundowns share spoils with German outfit

Meanwhile, the CAF Champions League winners Mamelodi Sundowns played to a 1-1 draw with Hertha Berlin at the Union Mondsee Arena in Austria.

The Bundesliga team scored first in the 39th minute as Leon Jensen did well to beat veteran and legendary Uganda international custodian Denis Onyango.

However, two minutes later, new signing Antonio van Wyk opened his account with a clinical finish to ensure no team went on with a win.

This was Sundowns’ first game after the unfortunate passing of their star midfielder Jayden Adams. Masandawana will be in Europe for a couple of days to prepare for the 2026/27 season.

<!-- Author Start -->Willis Sob<!-- Author End -->

Willis Sob

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  • Football Odds
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Willis Sob is a sports betting expert and journalist covering Nigeria and South Africa, with 16 years of experience. With a background in journalism, reporting and programme production, he specialises in football odds, and his work has appeared on OK Africa and GOAL, as well as TV, radio and podcasts.

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