Nesyri scores as new Al Ittihad boss Wissing begins reign with five-goal thriller win

German coach Jens Wissing launched his Al Ittihad tenure with a dramatic 3-2 friendly victory over South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, as Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri struck early in the Saudi club’s pre-season camp in Spain.

The tight contest, played on Tuesday in Marbella, was the first outing of Al Ittihad’s overseas training camp and offered an early glimpse of Wissing’s plans for the “Tigers” ahead of the new season.

En-Nesyri opened the scoring in the 11th minute, before Orlando Pirates levelled with a long-range effort from Mpata. French winger Moussa Diaby restored Al Ittihad’s lead on the stroke of half-time, and Nigerian forward George Ilenikhena added a late third, only for the South Africans to pull one back again shortly before full-time.

The win will be seen as an encouraging start for Wissing, the German coach recently appointed to revive Al Ittihad after a difficult domestic campaign last season.

En-Nesyri heads Al Ittihad in front

Al Ittihad began brightly, with Wissing fielding the bulk of his first-choice players in the opening period.

The early pressure told when Youssef En-Nesyri broke the deadlock after just 11 minutes. The Morocco international met a precise cross from Abdulrahman Al-Aboud and directed a powerful header past the Pirates goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

Despite Al Ittihad’s control, Orlando Pirates found a way back into the match just before the half-hour mark.

In the 27th minute, Mpata unleashed a fierce strike from outside the penalty area. Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic failed to deal with the shot, allowing the South African side to restore parity at 1-1.

Diaby restores lead before half-time

Al Ittihad responded to the setback by increasing the tempo, and their pressure was rewarded in first-half stoppage time.

In the second minute of added time at the end of the opening period, Moussa Diaby put the Saudis back in front. The winger collected the ball on the edge of the box and fired a left-footed effort into the net to give Wissing’s side a 2-1 lead at the interval.

The performance in the first 45 minutes underlined Al Ittihad’s attacking potential, with Wissing’s decision to start many of his key players helping the team to dominate possession and create clearer chances.

Wholesale changes and late drama

The German coach used the second half to experiment, making numerous substitutions and rotating heavily as he assessed his squad options.

The flow of the game became more open with the changes, but Al Ittihad did not find their third goal until the closing stages.

In the 85th minute, Nigerian striker George Ilenikhena struck to seemingly put the result beyond doubt, extending the lead to 3-1.

However, Orlando Pirates refused to fade and managed to reduce the deficit again shortly before the final whistle, ensuring a tense finish to what was ultimately a narrow 3-2 win for the Jeddah club.

Spanish tests ahead: Las Palmas and Mallorca

Al Ittihad will continue their preparations in Spain with two further friendlies against La Liga opposition.

Their next match is scheduled against Las Palmas on 25 July, followed by a meeting with Real Mallorca on 30 July.

Both fixtures are expected to offer Wissing tougher tactical tests as he refines his system and integrates new signings, including En-Nesyri and other recent arrivals, ahead of the start of the Saudi Pro League season.