Jens Weissing marked his Al-Ittihad managerial debut with a convincing victory, as the Saudi club defeated South African giants Orlando Pirates 3-2 in a friendly encounter during their Spanish training camp. Youssef En-Nesyri, the Moroccan striker, set the tone early with a clinical finish that ignited his new coach's opening assignment in Marbella on Tuesday.
The Moroccan forward wasted little time making an impact, heading past the Pirates' defence in the 11th minute after receiving a pinpoint cross from Abdulrahman Al-Aboud. His opener established the blueprint for Al-Ittihad's attacking approach under Weissing's first tactical instructions. Orlando Pirates responded sharply when Mbatha unleashed a powerful drive from distance in the 27th minute, beating Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic to level the contest. The momentum swung back Al-Ittihad's way just before half-time, with Moussa Diaby restoring their lead through a well-struck effort from the edge of the penalty area, showcasing the attacking intent Weissing has instilled early into his tenure.
Comfortable Control in the Second Half
Al-Ittihad dominated possession throughout the opening 45 minutes, with Weissing utilising the friendly to assess his core players before rotating his squad after the interval. The Saudi outfit stretched their advantage in the 85th minute when Nigerian striker George Ilenikhena converted to make it 3-1, though Orlando Pirates grabbed a late consolation goal before the final whistle. The victory provides Weissing with a solid foundation as he begins reshaping Al-Ittihad's campaign, having taken the reins of one of Asian football's most storied institutions.
The German tactician's squad continues their pre-season schedule in Spain, facing Las Palmas on 25 July and Real Mallorca on 30 July, giving Weissing further opportunities to develop team cohesion ahead of the competitive season.
