Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has shared his thoughts after his side dropped crucial points against Stellenbosch FC on Tuesday evening.
The Buccaneers played to a 0-0 draw against Stellies at Athlone Stadium in a Betway Premiership clash. Pirates rivals for the title, Mamelodi Sundowns, won 2-0 against AmaZulu FC on the same night.
Pirates are now 18 points behind Sundowns, but the Soweto giants have four matches on hand. The two clubs will take on each other at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Sunday.
ORLANDO PIRATES COACH ACKNOWLEDGES THAT A DRAW AT STELLENBOSCH NOT A GOOD RESULT
“Overall [it was] a tough match, getting even tougher due to the circumstances,” Riveiro told the media.
“One point: obviously, we want to win every match, but Stellenbosch is a difficult team, especially considering that they are playing all over the country as well. It is difficult to tell if they are playing at home or not. But when they are here, they are a difficult team.”
“They are third in the log and in the quarterfinals in continental competition. Stellenbosch is not a joke. So we have to give value to the point. Even though, like I said, we are in a different race trying to collect three points everywhere we go.
“But in a normal context, you could say collecting one point is fine. In our context or our league, you can say it’s not the best result for us.”
WHAT JOSE RIVEIRO MAKES OF DROPPING CRUCIAL POINTS IN CAPE TOWN
“Clearly two games in one. One until the red card where I think [as] Pirates, we were playing our role, and I think Stellenbosch played their role,” he added.
“Both teams were executing their own game plans, Pirates dominating with clarity. Stellenbosch looking to punish our mistakes in transitions with [Ashley] Cupido and [Devin] Titus.
“But I think we controlled the game well knowing how difficult this team is in transition when they have spaces to run. Not really precise in the last metres; it’s just impossible to be precise in this field. We actually generated one set piece in 45 minutes, which was one corner.”
RELATED STORY: Orlando Pirates eyeing two Baroka FC stars
