Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro made a bold claim after his side lost to Richards Bay FC in the Carling Knockout Cup.
The Buccaneers, on Saturday, were brushed aside 5-4 on penalties by Richards Bay in the quarter-final after a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes.
This was the first cup competition defeat for Riveiro who had won all the cups that Pirates played since he took the reins last year. The Spaniard coach has hoisted two MTN8 trophies and the Nedbank Cup.
Despite failing to get the better of the Natal Rich Boyz, Riveiro feels the performance of his troops was good enough for them to win 3-0 or 4-0.
JOSE RIVEIRO SAYS PIRATES SHOULD HAVE WON 3-0 OR 4-0 AGAINST RICHARDS BAY
“The performance is a 3-0, 4-0 performance but we didn’t score,” said Riveiro after the game.
“So, now we are analysing the results, and that we are out. But it doesn’t have any relation with preparation, the fact that we are out.”
Riveiro also blamed their poor run on the games that are coming thick and fast in a short period. He feels it’s difficult to turn things around when they have to play “every after three days”.
BUSY SCHEDULE
“Even though we were tired, especially mentally tired, we’re not in our best moment. When you’re playing every two or three days, at least if you are winning, the mood is different and the mentality is different,” he added.
“But when you are not getting good results, playing every two or three days is tough for the boys. It’s very very difficult.
“So, the level they show again today. The level of commitment with our process was excellent but we didn’t get the results.”
RELATED STORY: Richards Bay FC dump Pirates out of CKO via penalty shootout
