Orlando Pirates stumble in final pre-season match

Orlando Pirates ended their pre-season tour of Spain with a 1-0 defeat to Saudi Pro League side FC Neom at the Marbella Football Center on Friday.

The Soweto giants were hoping to build on their recent victory over Las Palmas and finish their European camp on a high note. However, they faced a determined opponent in FC Neom.

Pirates endured a nervy start, nearly conceding just five minutes into the match. A defensive mix-up allowed Said Benrahma to set up Munahad Al-Said, but the resulting shot missed the target.

Pirates made to pay for key mistake

The Buccaneers responded with a promising attack of their own. Kamogelo Sebelebele delivered a cross-field pass to Tshepang Moremi, who had a clear sight of goal but sent his effort over the crossbar.

The deadlock was broken on the stroke of halftime. After a foul was committed near the edge of the box, Benrahma stepped up to take the free-kick and drilled a low, powerful shot into the bottom corner of the net to give the Saudi team the lead.

Looking for a way back into the game, Pirates made a single change at the break, bringing on Nkosikhona Ndaba to replace Deon Hotto.

Bucs fightback fails to bear fruit

Ten minutes into the second half, the South African side came close to equalising. A dynamic run from Sebelebele resulted in a cutback into the penalty area. After FC Neom failed to clear the danger, the ball fell to Boitumelo Radiopane, but the forward fired his shot over the top.

Pirates continued to press for an equaliser, creating another opportunity from a free-kick delivered by Thalente Mbatha to the far post, but the attempt went wide.

Despite a late surge in the final minutes, the Buccaneers could not find a way through FC Neom’s defense. The Saudi club held on for the victory, bringing Orlando Pirates’ overseas pre-season campaign to a close.