Orlando Pirates and Las Palmas battled to a goalless draw in a pre-season friendly clash in Marbella on Thursday evening.
Pirates recalld Bandile Shandu, Thapelo Xoki, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Sihle Ndluli, Tshepang Moremi and Tshegofatso Mabasa following the draw with Pafos FC over the weekend.
Mabasa could’ve signalled his return in style when he got up at the near post of the six-yard box to get a head in on Moremi’s cross, but he sent his effort wide.
Pirates went close once again after 20 minutes as Kabelo Dlamini lined-up on the edge of the box to execute a free-kick, which rattled the crossbar.
Las Palmas experienced good spells particularly in possession and the forward passes later on, but the Buccaneers remained a tough nut to crack on all fronts.
Pirates unveiled a different eleven in the second half with goalkeeper Sipho Chaine, Deano Van Rooyen, Patrick Maswanganyi and Sinoxolo Kwayiba amongst the substitutes.
Hard-tackling defender Nkosinathi Sibisi, who was also one of the substitutes nearly broke the deadlock with a glancing header from Maswanganyi’s cross, but missed target.
Las Palmas continued to see a portion of the ball and looked promising on the front-foot, but lacked the killer touch in the final third.
Pirates were reduced to ten men in the final quarter when Chaine got his marching orders for handling outside the six-yard area.
The pace of the match in the last couple of minutes started slowing down amidst the two teams gunning for the winner, but goalless was how it stayed in Marbella.
Image: Orlando Pirates
Confirmed line-ups:
Orlando Pirates: Dladla, Mbokazi, Xoki, Shandu, Hotto, Nduli, Dlamini, Nemtajela, Moremi, Mofokeng, Mabasa
