Orlando Pirates were kept scoreless in their pre-season fixture against Spanish outfit Las Palmas, with Thursday night’s game played at Marbella Football Center finishing in a 0-0 draw.
It was the second consecutive stalemate in this year’s European excursion by the Buccaneers, and an identical result to the previous meeting between the two sides which took place around the corner from Thursday’s venue nearly two years to the day.
With a number of fresh faces sported by both teams in their preparations for the 2025/26 season, the familiar figure of Deon Hotto set the tone for the Soweto Giants with a few deep forays into opposition territory. His bright start yielded an early chance as his side won the game’s first corner in the fourth minute.
The set piece was delivered towards Tshegofatso Mabasa who glanced his header across goal, while young shot-stopper Siyabonga Dladla was also kept busy at the other end when he was called on to make a save within the opening 10 minutes.
Things remained enterprising throughout the opening quarter with the Buccaneers forcing the Spanish outfit into fouls in dangerous positions. Midfielder Kabelo Dlamini went agonisingly close with a free kick taken a few paces from the penalty area when he struck the crossbar with a lovely curler from a tight angle. His effort was followed by another threatening moment from new signing Tshepang Moremi, whose effort from the right flank forced a save off goalkeeper Dinko Horkas.
Defenders Tapelo Xoki and Mbekezeli Mbokazi made a few welcome stops as The Yellows looked edge forward with halftime approaching. It would remain scoreless at the break with neither of the two sets of players managing a breakthrough.
With mass substitutions made at both camps heading into the second period, things took a more physical turn with a few heavy challenges flying around. A potentially-decisive moment arrived on the hour mark – albeit through a handball – when replacement goalkeeper Sipho Chaine saw red after using his hands outside the penalty area.
Melusi Buthelezi was the third shot-stopper to be utilised by coach Abdeslam Ouaddou on the night, and his unplanned inclusion came at the expense of midfielder Simphiwe Selepe. He was quickly called upon in dealing with the resultant set piece which failed to pose a significant threat.
Pirates meanwhile found the back of the net at the other end, but their goal would not count as a neat through-ball from Karim Kimvuidi found Evidence Makgopa in an offside position.
Spain youth international Adam Arvelo looked to make the numerical advantage count for Las Palmas late in the contest, but Bucs second-half skipper Nkosinathi Sibisi popped up with a crucial block.
The final moments of the contest featured some promising moments at both ends, with the Buccaneers getting close to an opener in the closing minute when Sinoxolo Kwayiba’s shot from the left flank was deflected out. That reflected a frustrating outing on the scoreboard for both sides, who played to another stalemate on the coast of Spain.
Pirates are now left with one more training match to navigate against another Segunda Division outfit in Granada with the two sides set to lock horns on Saturday night.
Pirates XI: Dladla (Chaine 46’), Xoki (Seema 46’), Mbokazi (Sibisi 46’), Shandu (Van Rooyen 46’), Hotto (Ndaba 46’), Nduli (Selepe 46’, Buthelezi 62’), Nemtajela (Mbatha 46’), Dlamini (Maswanganyi 46’), Moremi (Kimvuidi 46’), Mofokeng (Kwayiba 46’), Mabasa (Makgopa 46’).
