Orlando Pirates started their pre-season friendly matches with a loss following a 2-0 defeat to English third-tier club Bolton Wanderers in Marbella, Spain on Friday.
Pirates hogged possession, especially in the first half, but ended up on the wrong side of the score line after poor set-piece defending proved costly.
The Buccaneers went down first late in the first half before Bolton scored the second just after the break although there were some encouraging signs from some of their new signings.
Pirates’ poor defending on set-pieces was exposed after 40 minutes when Charlie Warren scored easily after goalkeeper Sipho Chaine came off his line to catch the ball but missed it.
A high ball from a Bolton freekick saw Warren get onto the second ball and directed it into the net as Chaine was caught out.
Positive signs from Pirates stars
This was after Sipho Mbule had attempted to break the deadlock for Pirates in the 36th minute, the midfielder shooting from outside the box, before the Bolton goalkeeper kept out his attempt.
Relebohile Mofokeng then came close to an equaliser on the stroke of half-time when his well-taken free-kick beat the goalkeeper but flew just wide as both teams went to the break with the four-time FA Cup winners leading 1-0.
Mbule and Mofokeng were among those who impressed for Pirates in the first half with the former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder showing confidence on the ball and also getting in good areas.
A totally changed Pirates XI started well in the second half with new signings Aswin Appollis, Masindi Nemtajela (Marumo Gallants), Nkosikhona Ndaba, Sinoxolo Kwayiba and Tshepo Mashiloane getting a run out.
How did Bucs concede the second goal?
However, another miscommunication on a set-piece allowed Bolton to score a second goal when George Johnston rose highest to head home from a corner after substitute goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi failed to communicate with his defenders.
That was on the hour mark and in the 65th minute, Tshegofatso Mabasa had a chance to pull one back for Pirates but his close-range shot was blocked for a corner.
Pirates might have lost but there were positive signs from their display, especially on their positional play, and new coach Abdeslam Ouaddou would have seen some nice things to build on.
Pirates will now take on Cyprus champions Pafos on Sunday July 13 before matches against Spanish sides Las Palmas and Granada on July 17 and 19 respectively.
