Following Orlando Pirates' dramatic 2-1 Betway Premiership victory over Cape Town City, head coach Jose Riveiro has addressed the substitution of Makhehlene Makhaula.
At Orlando Stadium, the Buccaneers rallied late, with Tshegofatso Mabasa and Goodman Mosele finding the net after Haashim Domingo had given City the lead.
City were aiming for a league double over Pirates, having won the reverse fixture 1-0. However, despite the eventual win, Makhaula's performance had drawn criticism from some Pirates supporters.
Riveiro explained that the second-half change, which saw Goodman Mosele come on for Makhaula, was a tactical maneuver. He indicated that a different type of midfielder was required as the game progressed.
RIVEIRO ON TAKING OUT MAKHAULA
“We needed a different type of midfielder in that moment of the game,” Riveiro told SuperSport after the game as quoted by Soccer Laduma.
“There was a situation where we tried to get benefits with our midfielders because of the way they were defending in one of the sides.
“That's why he came in – Mosele because he is a different profile than Cass in that moment I think. Good job from Makhaula I think in the first 45 – 60 minutes and then Mosele complete the job.”
Reflecting on the match itself, Riveiro asserted that Pirates demonstrated superior play in the first half. Regarding the second half, he maintained that his team generated sufficient opportunities to score goals.
“We will know at the end of the season how crucial it is, we play home here we don't want to drop points here. Again, I think we really superior to the opponent especially in the first half,” he added.
“The second one, difficult with interruptions, substitutes. The rhythm is usually a little bit low, but we managed to find courage in the last 15 minutes to put them in the box, to create not beautiful chances but chances enough to get the three points.”
