Orlando Pirates beat LaLiga outfit Sevilla 2-0 in a pre-season friendly played at Ramón Cisneros Palacios on Monday.
The Soweto Giants scored a goal in each half to secure a morale-boosting victory over the Spanish team, which was beginning off their season-long preparations in Seville.
After a hesitant start in which they did the majority of the defending, Pirates found forward ball in the 11th minute. Thalente Mbatha’s wonderful long ball took the Sevilla defence off guard and found Monnapule Saleng, whose shot was saved by the upright.
The home side’s greatest chance in the early going came from a set piece taken a few yards from the Bucs penalty area by ex-Liverpool forward Suso, who shot barely wide.
The Buccaneers took the lead in the 21st minute when Miguel Timm escaped his marker inside the box and converted Relebohile Mofokeng’s corner kick at the near post.
Los Nervionenses attacked through the flanks in quest of an equaliser, with Thabiso Lebitso having to deal with the dynamic Chidera Ejuke on several occasions.
Suso created an opportunity late in the first half, but could only lob his shot over the bar as Pirates held onto their small lead at the break.
As with their previous game, Pirates made changes at halfway, with all but one member of the starting XI not emerging from the tunnel.
Replacement striker Evidence Makgopa had the opening chance of the second period two minutes after the restart, but his effort was deflected out of play.
The Soweto Giants continued to put the hosts under strain, with new addition Gilberto playing an important role as they surged forward.
The Angolan winger put up Mofokeng for a long-range shot that went past the crossbar.
Sevilla, on the other end, were relentless in their chase of an equaliser but were unable to break through a tough Bucs defence.
With less than 10 minutes left on the clock, Pirates managed to put some distance between themselves and their opponents. Kabelo Dlamini made it 2-0 with a fantastic effort, curling a long-range shot into the top corner.
Lucas Ocampos should have equalised late in the game with a header from close range, but he was stopped by an outstanding save from Melusi Buthelezi, who reacted quickly to tip the ball over the bar.
That proved to be the contest’s final serious chance, and the Buccaneers emerged as deserving winners following a strong performance.
