Orlando Pirates remain without a win on their pre-season tour in Spain after playing to a goalless draw against Las Palmas on Thursday evening.
Young goalkeeper Siyabonga Dladla got another start between the sticks for the Buccaneers, while news signings Sihle Nduli, Tshepang Moremi and Masindi Nemtajela were also included in the starting line-up.
The game was played at a lively tempo from the onset, with both sides looking to get their foot on the ball and create chances, as Pirates' Tshegofatso Mabasa went close with a glancing header in the opening five minutes.
The Buccaneers went even closer on 20 minutes when Kabelo Dlamini tried his luck from distance with a free-kick that crashed against the crossbar with the Las Palmas goalkeeper well beaten.
Las Palmas enjoyed more of the possession as the first half continued, especially after the water break but they found it tough to carve out serious chances to trouble young Dladla in goals.
After a scoreless first half, Buccaneers coach Abdeslam Ouaddou went with an entirely new team for the second period, which included the likes of Patrick Maswanganyi, Sinoxolo Kwayiba, and Thalente Mbatha and Sipho Chaine.
Chaine's evening did not last long as he was sent off on the hour mark for handling the ball outside of the area with Las Palmas' Sorry Kaba racing through on goal. As a result, Simphiwe Selepe was sacrificed to bring on goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi.
Pirates had the ball in the back of the net a few minutes later when Evidence Makgopa fired home from close range, although the joy was short-lived as the assistant referee raised the flag for an offside.
Despite being a man down, Pirates managed to frustrate the Spaniards in the latter stages of the first half and saw out the rest of the clash to claim a draw.
Here's how they started:
Orlando Pirates: Dladla, Mbokazi, Xoki, Shandu, Hotto, Nduli, Dlamini, Nemtajela, Moremi, Mofokeng, Mabasa
