Victorious Orlando Pirates' dynamics shocked former LaLiga pro in their pre-season finale
Image: BackpagePix
Orlando Pirates clinched a well-deserved 2-0 victory against Granada on Saturday at the Marbella Football Centre to end their pre-season tour of Spain on a high note.
The result marked a significant morale boost for the Soweto giants, who had endured a string of challenging fixtures during their training stint abroad. After four games, Pirates secured their first tour win.
Granada's head coach, José Rojo Martín – a former LaLiga professional – expressed admiration for Pirates' tactics. As part of his preparation for the match, he had reviewed footage of their goalless draw against Las Palmas last Thursday.
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Speaking to SuperSport TV, a translator for Martín relayed the coach's surprise at the intensity and dynamics displayed by Orlando Pirates. 'He was quite shocked by the dynamic of the team, the intensity, and the quantity of the players,' he noted, adding: 'He has done the research and watched the match against Las Palmas.'
The match against Granada began tentatively, with both sides feeling each other out during a stop-start opening quarter. Pirates created their first real chance in the 24th minute, though Mbekezeli Mbokazi's effort drifted wide. Mbokazi, surprisingly deployed at left-back, later found himself in several attacking roles but struggled to convert his opportunities.
As the first half progressed, the Buccaneers began to find their rhythm. Boitumelo Radiopane came close to breaking the deadlock, but his header lacked the power to beat Granada goalkeeper Luca Zidane. Still, Pirates showcased their attacking intent, frequently surging forward with purpose.
After a nervy first half, Pirates returned with renewed determination. Goalkeeper Sipho Chaine kept them in the contest with a string of crucial saves as Granada pressed forward.
Persistence eventually paid off in the 82nd minute when Patrick Maswanganyi, well positioned inside the box, calmly slotted the ball into the net to hand Pirates the lead.
The goal injected fresh energy into the side, and Relebohile Mofokeng soon doubled the advantage. After slipping past the final defender, he calmly finished into an open net to secure a deserved win.
The result concluded Pirates' Spanish training camp on a high, leaving them unbeaten in their final three pre-season matches. As they return to South Africa to prepare for the 2025/26 season — starting with their MTN8 title defence against Polokwane City — their performances in Spain reflect a promising synergy that supporters hope will carry into the domestic campaign.
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