Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says the 1-0 loss to Maritzburg United in the DStv Premiership match at Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday evening left him very upset.
Pirates dominated the game but strikers Zakhele Lepasa and Bienvenu Eva Nga were not able to find the back after both had two clean chances but they failed to beat Maritzburg goalie King Ndlovu.
Then Maritzburg got the sucker punch late in the match, as Olisa Ndah was penalised for pushing down Siboniso Conco. Amadou Soukouna stepped up and scored the all important goal in the 80th minute as Maritzburg finally beat Pirates for the first time since 2016.
“I’m upset because if we won today we had a chance to go back top of the table but it was not the case,” said Riveiro after the match.
“But one more time, it is always nice to find ourselves in the top half position. I think the league so far is very equal, every game is very difficult for everyone, not only for Pirates.”
Upgrade to ultra-fast home 5G premium & get a second premium plan free from rain.co.za.
Pirates did miss the forward-thinking of Goodman Mosele, who was serving a suspension in this game after being sent off against Royal AM in the MTN8 quarter-final last weekend.
Riveiro, who went with Thabang Monare and Timm in what looked like a double six, insisted his team were once again unlucky to not leave the pitch with three points.
“We had moments to win the game but we didn’t have enough depth in our attack,” added Riveiro.
“In the corridor spaces, in the middle of possession, we couldn’t find position for our strikers and at that moment, when they stole the ball, they played immediately behind our back three.
“In the second half it was only one team who was looking for the results and we couldn’t capitalize on the actions that we created. We were just unlucky.”
