Buccaneers sink Sevilla with a clinical pre-season display

Buccaneers sink Sevilla with a clinical pre-season display

Orlando Pirates emerged victorious against La Liga side Sevilla, securing a 2-0 win in a pre-season friendly on Monday evening at the Ramon Cisneros Palacios Stadium.

The Buccaneers made six changes to their lineup, with Thalente Mbatha, Tshegofatso Mabasa, Sandile Mthethwa, Miguel Timm, Karim Kimvuidi, and Deon Hotto all starting the match.

These changes did not seem to disrupt the team's rhythm as they quickly found their stride.

The opening goal came just over 20 minutes into the match. Miguel Timm made a perfectly timed run to the near post, meeting Relebohile Mofokengâ™s well-placed corner kick and slotting it past the Sevilla goalkeeper to put the Buccaneers ahead.

This early goal set the tone for the match and highlighted Pirates' offensive intent.

The game was played at a brisk pace, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess. Mofokeng, who had provided the assist for the first goal, nearly doubled the lead shortly after but his effort sailed high and wide.

Despite Sevillaâ™s attempts to find an equaliser, their efforts were thwarted by a combination of misplaced passes and ineffective finishing.

In the second half, Pirates introduced a completely new lineup, featuring Angolan newcomer Gilberto, who made his debut following his transfer from Petro de Luanda.

The fresh legs helped maintain the Buccaneers' resilience, although the tempo of the match slowed somewhat.

Sevilla continued to press for an equaliser, with Stanisas Idumbo creating several opportunities in wide areas and around the edge of the box.

However, the Spanish sideâ™s hopes were dashed when Kabelo Dlamini showcased solid composure outside the area, curling a shot into the top corner to double Pirates' lead.

The Buccaneers managed the game comfortably in the final minutes, ensuring that Sevilla could not mount a comeback.

This victory marked Pirates' first win of the pre-season, providing a significant confidence boost ahead of their upcoming matches.

Pirates will next face Granada in a friendly on Wednesday night at the Banus Football Centre, where they will look to build on this impressive performance.

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