Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has lauded his team for showing great character and resilience in their 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United on Wednesday.
Pirates took a 2-0 lead inside 47 minutes thanks to Deon Hotto’s clever freekick and Makhehlene Makhaula’s header but Linda Mntabo pulled one for Babina Noko with 14 minutes to go to set up a grand finish.
The home side had chances to equalise but Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine and his defenders cleared out the danger as they survived the late onslaught to Riveiro’s delight.
Riveiro rues Thabiso Sesane’s injury
“We fought like a team in the second half and managed to resist a very good team and a very difficult field to play football so it is an excellent result, massive three points for us and one more achievement to win here away in Sekhukhune,” Riveiro told SuperSport TV after the match.
Riveiro also received a blow early in the contest when defender Thabiso Sesane was stretchered off after 17 minutes and the tactician says it affected his game plan somewhat.
“It is always an inconvenience, the game plan is not going to change, was not compromised but you need time to adjust again some positions and behaviours and for Kabelo [Dlamini] to come in, in an unexpected way, it was a difficult game in the beginning to get the base and rhythm but little by little we managed to be ourselves,” he added.
The Spanish tactician then went into details on how Sekhukhune nearly snatched a point from his team while lauding Pirates’ resilience.
What impressed the Pirates coach?
“In the beginning of the second half once they introduced the last subs and just gambling a little bit and looking for big balls to the striker with Linda in between lines it was a little more difficult to contest,” said Riveiro.
“We gave away a lot of balls and I think their goal came from one situation when we had a good transition which we did not read very well and immediately we are defending in our box.
“One game to put in our bag in terms of resilience. We are coming from a derby, a tough one. It is really a demanding week for the team and so far, the behaviour and performance of the team is second to none.”
Pirates will complete their demanding week with a top of the table clash against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday February 8, a game that will test their title credentials.
