Orlando Pirates ended their Spanish tour with a deserved 2-0 win against Granada on Saturday evening at the Marbella Football Center.
The Buccaneers came into the match hoping to register their first pre-season win following a 2-0 loss against English League One outfit Bolton Wanderers that followed by a 1-1 draw versus Cypriot side Pafos FC.
It was another chance for the new coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou, to try new tactics, having spent a reasonable time with the players in Spain.
Pirates fail to use their chances.
The Soweto giants dominated early proceedings, building up from the back all the way to the final third. In the fifth minute, Sipho Mbule's well-delivered free-kick was headed out for an unfruitful corner.
The Buccaneers had a massive opportunity to get the opener in the 18th minute when Sinoxolo Kwayiba slipped in Tshepang Moremi, but goalkeeper Luca Zidane pulled a nice save to deny the attacker.
Bucs created another golden opportunity in the 43rd minute when Congolese import Karim Kimvuidi managed to pass the ball to the unmarked and advancing Mbekezeli Mbokazi. Despite being in a one-on-one situation with the seemingly stranded Zidane, the teenager shot agonisingly wide.
The miss could have been costly for Pirates a minute later. A quick break saw Pedro Aleman get a chance to find the back of the net from 12 yards out, but goalkeeper Sipho Chaine was equal to the task.
Blunt Bucs fail to take their chances, but Tito saves the day
The Spanish side started the second half really well, hoping to hit Pirates early. Their great chance after the break was in the 51st minute when Argentine Lucas Boye rose highest to head a corner ball, but it narrowly missed the target.
Pirates responded by initiating several attacking moves, with Cemran Dansin doing well to pick Yanele Mbuthuma, who miscued his effort.
The MTN8 defending champions were doing everything right on the pitch, apart from putting the ball in the back of the net. Nevertheless, that changed with 10 minutes to go.
Granada were caught on a counterattack, and despite Mbuthuma's initial effort bouncing off the defender, the rebound favourably fell on the path of the former Richards Bay striker, who teed up Patrick Maswanganyi for a fine finish.
In the 90th minute, Mbuthuma managed to spot the advancing Relebohile Mofokeng and passed the ball to him. The Bafana Bafana youngster went passed his marker and rounded the keeper before making it 2-0 to hand Abdeslam Ouaddou his first win as Pirates' coach.
The win was a massive reward for the Buccaneers who can now focus on domestic assignments.
