Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro says his side does not have the luxury of continuing to donate free points in the DStv Premiership.
The Spaniard said this in a post-match interview with SuperSport TV on Saturday evening after losing 2-1 to Cape Town City at DHL Stadium.
JOSE RIVEIRO RUES MISSED SCORING OPPORTUNITIES
“We are not in a situation where we can give three points for free. This game is about scoring and tonight, they were better than us in that sense,” he said.
Jose Riveiro admitted that the league restart is proving tough for the Buccaneers.
“It has been a tough beginning of the season after the [FIFA World Cup break] break for us,” he said.
“…it is the second defeat in a row. We have to bounce back and that is what big teams are and we are not an exception.”
COACH AT PAINS TO EXPLAIN HOW PIRATES LOST TO CITY
Jose Riveiro said it was difficult accepting they lost the game, which they controlled.
Jose Riveiro said the game only changed in City’s favour after they scored.
“Two different games; one before the goal it was absolutely under control,” he said.
“It is difficult to explain that we went to half-time at 1-1.”
Jose Riveiro said his side was punished for not taking its chances.
He, however, fell short of explaining why Pirates are struggling to score especially in the second-half of matches.
“There is no explanation [for that]. If we want to go deep about analysis, we should talk about the chances that we created and not the amount of the goals that we have scored,” he said.
“To score a goal is a complicated thing.”
Deon Hotto had given Pirates the lead in the 21st minute of the match.
However, Juan Zapata equalized for the hosts Cape Town City 10 minutes later.
Darvin Gonzalez finally snatched the winner for the hosts in the 74th minute to turn the game around.
The defeat left the Buccaneers in eighth place on the standings, 18 points behind runaway leaders and holders Mamelodi Sundowns midway through the league campaign.
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