Orlando Pirates lose to Bolton in first Spanish pre-season friendly

The Buccaneers are in Spain as they prepare for the upcoming Betway Premiership season and will face Cypriot champions Pafos FC and La Liga sides Las Palmas and Granada in the coming days.

It was a new-look team that took to the field at the Marbella Football Centre as new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou took charge of the team for the first time since his appointment.

New signing Sihle Nduli started in the centre of midfield alongside fellow freshman Sipho Mbule, as Tshepang Moremi started in a wide position.

Bolton centre-back Josh Dacres-Cogley was first with a chance though with a header he floated just over the Bucs crossbar.

But Pirates were lively on the ball and Mbule wasn't too far off with a shot from range on the half-hour mark that was ultimately deflected wide.

Mbule was wide soon after with another goal bound effort, but it was Charlie Warren, who broke the deadlock in the 42st minute with a smart finish following George Thomason's headed pass in to the area.

The half ended with Relebohile Mofokeng wide with from a late free-kick, while it was a whole new team for Pirates in the second half as Ouaddou made 11 changes.

Sinoxolo Kwayiba wasn't too far away from an equaliser after some neat interplay with Tshegofatso Mabasa and Evidence Makgopa with 50th minutes played.

Pirates continued to be comfortable on the ball but were unable to get back into the game before Bolton doubled their lead, with a strong George Johnston header at the far post from a corner in the 62 minute.

Midfielder Masindi Nemtajela had a late shot deflect off target, while Kwayiba tried his luck with one long range dig that failed to trouble the Bolton keeper, as the English side ran out comfortable winners.