Jose Riveiro reveals Pirates’ shortcomings in CT City stalemate
Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has revealed his team’s shortcomings following the 1-1 draw against Cape Town City FC in the MTN8 semi-final first leg.
‘The Buccaneers’ travelled to the DHL Stadium to take on the Cape Town-based team, hoping to secure a crucial away victory.
Pirates took the lead in the 15th minute when midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng scored after getting past his marker and beating goalkeeper Darren Keet.
Despite creating several goal-scoring opportunities, Cape Town City were unable to score due to the efforts of Pirates goalie Sipho Chaine. The first-half ended with Pirates leading 1-0. However, Cape Town City equalized early in the second half through Jaedin Rhodes.
In the second-half, the Soweto giants struggled to maintain their usual attacking style, frequently misplacing passes in Cape Town City’s half.
WHAT DID JOSE RIVEIRO SAY ABOUT PIRATES’ DRAW AGAINST CAPE TOWN CITY?
With Pirates missing a chance to claim a victory in the first-leg, Riveiro says his charges defended too deep in the second-half and couldn’t contain CT City.
“It was one-half for each team, but I think the first one was also not 100% for us. I think in the first half, Pirates had more control and were clearer about what we wanted to do,” Riveiro said on SuperSport TV.
“Sipho Chaine intervened two times in the first-half but it was more of our mistake, not that Cape Town City was creating [chances].
“In the second-half, we lost control in the 15 to 20 minutes, until they scored we couldn’t contain them and we were defending too low.
“We were not really doing what we wanted and we couldn’t manage to stop them until they scored but I think late in the game we had a couple of opportunities to get more advantage. But it’s 1-1, I think it’s going to be good on Saturday.
Pirates will face the same opponents in the second-leg at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, 31st of August. Kickoff is at 15h00.
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