An action-packed Spanish voyage closes with another exciting fixture, pitting one of South Africa’s top sides against Qatar’s most successful team.

Match Overview

It’s a clash between two sides that tasted silverware in the 2023/24 season, with the men from Doha set to take to the field for only the second time time since clinching a domestic double

Having bagged the Qatar Stars League and the Emir Cup titles, Al-Sadd had a confidence-boosting outcome in their only practice match so far. They won 8-0 against Gibraltar Football League outfit Manchester 62, with the clash also taking place at Banùs Football Centre.

With a season comprising of competition against Asia’s top teams on the horizon, they will be eyeing another commanding performance against the Soweto Giants who take to the field one last time before heading back to South Africa.

For Pirates, the fixture presents another opportunity to return to winning ways after playing to a stalemate against Granada on Wednesday. It was their second draw on tour, with the first coming in their opening pre-season fixture against English Championship outfit Plymouth Argyle.

The Buccaneers have tasted victory in Spain, beating La Liga outfit Sevilla 2-0 at Ramon Cisneros Palacios, and they will be eager to leave their adopted home base in Marbella with another win in the bag.

Team News

Bucs coach Jose Riveiro has tested out several combinations throughout the tour, and will likely shuffle his pack once more.

The Buccaneers had an injury concern early in the clash against Granada, with Evidence Makgopa stretchered out midway through the first half. The striker will be in a race against time to be fit for the clash, while experienced forwards like Tshegofatso Mabasa and Zakhele Lepasa could step up in his absence.

Al-Sadd meanwhile handed an unofficial debut to Spanish forward Rafa Mujica, who made a switch from Portuguese top-flight outfit Arouca in the off-season.

He’s the club’s only new signing so far, while winger Nayef Hamid has departed for a loan spell at Al-Shahania.

Players to Watch

Gonzalo Plata will be high on confidence, having carried his goal-scoring form from the previous campaign into the off-season with a hat-trick against Manchester 62. The Ecuadorian had 14 goal contributions in 21 league appearances last season, and is a potent threat on the right wing.

He will be ably assisted by Mujica, who netted a brace in his first outing for the club.

In defence, goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham boasts valuable international experience having claimed close to 50 caps for Qatar, and will be playing behind the likes of Brazilian defender Paulo Otàvio.

How to Watch Orlando Pirates vs Al-Sadd

Kick-off is at 19:30 (SAST) and can be streamed live via Orlando Pirates’ YouTube channel, Pirates TV and SuperSport PSL. Live updates will be shared across Orlando Pirates’ social media platforms.

Match Overview
They return to Banús Football Centre on a high after registering a 2-0 victory over Sevilla at Ramon Cisneros Palacios on Monday, with Miguel Timm and Kabelo Dlamini providing the goals. It was their second outing in Spain, following Friday’s 2-2 draw against English Championship side Plymouth Argyle.

Still unbeaten on tour, they will be looking to add another Spanish scalp to their collection
with an eye on building winning momentum ahead of the upcoming season.They face a different challenge however against a side looking to chart their way back to the top flight after suffering relegation in the previous campaign.

Granada’s return to La Liga resulted in a short-lived tenure as they managed just four wins in their 38 matches to finish bottom of the standings. The Nazaries take to the field for the first time in their off-season and will relish the prospect of facing a Pirates side that is high in confidence after a successful outing.

Team News
Jose Riveiro shuffled his pack for Monday’s fixture, with Thuso Moleleki, Dimpho Madalane,
and Gilberto running out in Bucs colours for the first time while Timm and Dlamini each made their first appearance on tour. The trend will likely continue against Granada, with Patrick Maswanganyi and Selaelo Rasebotja among those who could return to action after they were unused subs against
Sevilla.

Meanwhile, striker Zakhele Lepasa could be set to feature alongside midfielder Katlelgo Otladisa, with both players among those yet to have a taste of on-field action. For Granada, former Real Madrid goalkeeper Luca Zidane could run out for his unofficial debut for the club after his transfer from Eibar.

The Frenchman is one of two new additions to the squad, along with former Spain youth international Pablo Insua, who has joined from Sporting Gijon.

The Soweto Giants netted a goal in each half to register a morale-boosting win in what was an organised display against the Spanish outfit, who were kicking off their preparations for the seasons ahead with the clash held in Seville.

After a tentative start where they found themselves doing most of the defending, Pirates found go-forward ball in the 11th minute. This was after a lovely long pass from Thalente Mbatha caught the Sevilla defence flat-footed on its way to Monnapule Saleng, whose shot at goal was kept out by the upright.

The home side’s best chance during the opening exchanges came via a set piece taken a few paces from the Bucs penalty area by ex-Liverpool attacker Suso, who sent his effort narrowly wide.

The Buccaneers took the lead in the 21st minute, and it was through the boot of Miguel Timm as he lost his marker inside the box before turning Relebohile Mofokeng’s corner in at the near post.

In search of the equaliser, Los Nervionenses attacked through the flanks with Thabiso Lebitso called upon to deal with the energetic Chidera Ejuke on more than one occasion.

Suso managed to spark an opportunity late in the first half, but could only volley his shot over the bar as Pirates managed to cling to their slim lead at the break.

As was the case in their previous outing, Pirates rang the changes at halftime with all but one member of the starting XI not emerging from the tunnel.

Replacement striker Evidence Makgopa got on the end of the first chance of the second period two minutes after the restart, but had his shot deflected out of play.

The Soweto Giants continued to put the hosts under pressure, with new signing Gilberto heavily involved as they constantly pushed forward.

The Angolan winger set up an opportunity for Mofokeng, who went for goal from a long way out and fired over the bar.

At the other end, Sevilla were unrelenting in their pursuit for the equaliser but could not find a way past a resolute Bucs defence.

With less than 10 minutes remaining on the clock, Pirates managed to create some daylight between themselves and their opponents. This was through a spectacular effort from Kabelo Dlamini, who curled a long-range shot into the top corner to make it 2-0.

Lucas Ocampos could have pulled one back with a header from close range late in the game but was denied by an excellent save from Melusi Buthelezi, with the shot-stopper displaying quick reflexes to tip the ball over the bar.

That proved to be the last real chance of the contest, with the Buccaneers emerging as deserving winners after a confident showing.

Pirates XI: Chaine (Buthelezi 46’), Ndah (Sibisi 46’), Lebitso (Monyane 46’), Hotto (Madalane 46’), Timm (Baloni 46’), Mbatha (Ndlondlo 46’), Saleng (Gilberto 46’), Kimvuidi (Dlamini 46’), Mofokeng (Moleleko 67’), Mabasa (Makgopa 46’).

In a draw held in Cairo, Egypt on Thursday, they were among the five clubs set to begin their
campaign in the second preliminary round, where they will face off against the Malagasy Pro
League champions. The Antsirabe-based outfit will be home for the first leg scheduled to take place on the weekend of 16 August.

The second leg fixtures get underway seven days later, with Orlando Stadium set to host the deciding leg.The winner of the tie will progress to the final preliminary round, where they stand to come up against one of Namibia’s African Stars or Jwaneng Galaxy from Botswana in mid-September. The fixture dates, kick-off times, and match venues will be confirmed in due course.