Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi has revealed what he told his players ahead of their scrappy 1-0 win over Sekhukhune United.
The Buccaneers were gifted a late goal after a howler by Sekhukhune goalkeeper Ayanda Dlamini, which was punished by Fortune Makaringe.
Ncikazi has revealed that he told his players it will a tight game which would either be decided by an error or a set piece.
“It was very tough, even how they shape up, playing against a block is not an easy match. You’re not going to create a lot of opportunities against a block,” he told SuperSport TV.
“The ones that you create, you [must] take.
“I said to the team we’re either going to win from a set play or from a mistake. We get a set piece, a penalty, we don’t score.
“I think it helped that we became brave enough when we brought in Fortune [Makaringe] and [Thembinkosi] Lorch] because the problem is when they play a five-defence line, the spaces on wide areas are closed, the we have to try and play in front.
“At least the keeper made a mistake but I thought we were the team that deserved to win, in terms of creation of chances, taking charge.
“I’m happy for the team, we battled. It’s that stage of the season where some games are not going to be pretty. The field did not give us a chance to play well.
“But battle, if we can’t the team to play well then grind for the result and that’s what we did today.”
Pirates moved to 38 points on the log, just one behind Kaizer Chiefs in third place, who have played two games less, while Royal AM sit on 43 points in second place.
👆 Sundowns are 11 points clear. ⚜️ Royal AM are second place. ✌️ Chiefs two games in hand. 📈 5 points separate 12th and 16th…#DStvPrempic.twitter.com/KYeSPL5MoL
