Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro admits he was surprised by Stellenbosch and that they didn’t deserve to go into the break with a lead.
Prates maintained their unbeaten start to the 2022/23 season under Riveiro with the 1-1 draw against Stellies at a wet and rainy evening at the Danie Craven Stadium on Wednesday evening.
And they held a slender advantage at half-time after Nkosanathi Sibisi’s bullet header in stoppage time, much to the dismay of the home side who were well on top of the Buccaneers along with some questionable officiating.
“It was a very [tough match], I have to say that we were very surprised about the Stellenbosch rhythm in the first minutes, we didn’t find ways to get rid of the pressing, whatever comes to my mind will sound like an excuse,” Riveiro said.
“The fact is that they were much better than us in the first period and the game is like this, we went into half-time with an advantage and we didn’t deserve it at all.”
However, in the second period of the game, Pirates came out of their shell after being suffocated by the Stellies high-press, a key feature of their game under Steve Barker this season – but it was a case of murphy’s law as they conceded with Junior Mendieta, who was a livewire throughout found the equaliser.
“They did a fantastic job in the first half and we correct the situation in the second [half], I think the team was much better at the beginning of the second period and then when we were probably in our best moment of the game, they equalised.
“I think in the end both teams had chances due to the craziness at times on the pitch, I think the result is fair, both teams deserved to get something.”
The Soweto giants are currently in fourth place with four points from two games and will host Chippa United on Sunday afternoon at the Orlando Stadium (15h00).
