Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has talked about the impact of the injury of defender Thabiso Sesane to his team after he was stretchered off during their 2-1 win over Sekhukhune United on Tuesday.
The defender has been an ever-present figure, featuring in all 29 matches this season and also chipped in with two assists, and he had made the Buccaneers hard to beat, having conceded just five league goals by the time he was taken off.
Sesane went down after 17 minutes and was carried off on a stretcher with Thapelo Xoki replacing him a minute later by the time his team were leading 1-0 after Deon Hotto’s early goal.
What did Riveiro make of Sesane’s injury?
Although Pirates scored a second goal through Makhehlene Makhaula’s 47th minute header, Sekhukhune upped their game later and should have snatched a draw, giving Riveiro relief that his team weathered the storm after the early setback.
“We felt [the impact] because it wasn’t an easy situation for Thabiso, it didn’t look good at that moment,” Riveiro said after the match as per FARPost.
“Let’s see what it is [injury]. I think the team managed to continue with the same game plan, not changing so many things.
“That’s one of the strengths of this team. It doesn’t matter, but it matters who is playing in the team; the team finds its way to play our football.”
Xoki’s display gives Riveiro hope
Riveiro admits the injury disoriented his team somewhat but was thrilled by how Xoki performed after coming on in less-than-ideal conditions.
“It’s not frequent that you have to change one of your centre-backs in the first stages of the game. It’s also difficult for Thapelo to come off the bench unexpectedly without time to activate himself. I think he did a good job,” he added.
Sesane’s injury is a blow to Riveiro and Pirates as he had become an integral member of the team, having initially formed a great partnership with Olisa Ndah, before the injury to the Nigerian, as well as with Nkosinathi Sibisi.
The defender left the match venue on crutches and Riveiro will hope his injury does not keep him out for long like Ndah, who has been out since October.
