Orlando Pirates came from behind to beat Cadiz CF 2-1 and pick up their first pre-season win in Spain at the Marbella Football Center on Saturday night.
Ibon Sanchez opened the scoring inside the opening five minutes with Tshepang Moremi cancelling that in the 11th minute while Daniel Msendami grabbed the winner late in the first half.
Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou made wholesome changes from the side that started in the 1-1 draw with Cordoba including a debut for youngster Christian Derbyshire with Deon Hotto captaining the side.
The Spanish second division side scored in the fourth minute through Sanchez who was set-up by Alvaro Garcia. Cadiz could have extended their lead soon after, but Sanchez missed the target before Pirates won a corner kick. Hotto hit the ball to find Moremi who levelled from outside the box.
The skipper of the host side missed a chance to regain the lead for his side just before the half hour mark. Scorer in the previous game Boitumelo Radiopane was guilty of missing a chance to hand Pirates the lead shooting over the bar in the 38th minute. The visitors’ persistence was rewarded just before halftime with Moremi assisting Msendami.
In the second half Siyabonga Daldla replaced Sipho Chaine in goals. The other changes were that of Neo Rapoo, Bohlale Ngwato and Nkosinathi Mthiyane for Hotto, Moremi and Makhehleni Makhaula. The Betway Premiership champions picked up where they left off in the stanza and almost tripled their lead two minutes in the half.
Ngwato crossed to Radiopane in the box but the ball was cleared by the opposing defense for a corner. The Buccaneers won a free-kick seven minutes later with Rapoo giving it a powerful hit forcing the Spanish side goalie to come out and make a super save.
In the 66th minute Antonio Cordero took a range shot at the Pirates goal but missed the target with the ball going over the bar.
Pirates will face Saudi side Al Ittihad in their third match of the tour on Tuesday 21 July.
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