Hungry Lions head coach Hendry Basie says his squad was overwhelmed by the atmosphere at Orlando Stadium, comparing it to the likes of Anfield.
The second-tier squad, in their first time in the last-16 of the Nedbank Cup suffered a 4-0 drubbing as they finished the game with 10 men too.
Basie admits they may have been engulfed by the occasion against some of the biggest names in the country, and what was notably an incredible atmosphere in eSgodini.
“I think the occasion ran away with [my squad], they were overwhelmed, we played in Orlando Stadium where the crowd is so close to you, we’re trying to coach from the bench but they can’t hear us,” he said.
“We’ve never experienced that, it’s almost like when they talk about Liverpool stadium, I saw it and experienced it now – it’s tough conditions yes.
“I think with that… the boys were nervy, some of them never even had a chance to play or see these professional players live. It’s something that maybe distracted them, the nerves played a big part.”
Pirates will learn their quarter-final fate this evening when the draw takes place at SuperSport Studios in Randburg at 18h00.
