Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro admits playing at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium required an ugly game but hailed his squad for the consistency they have developed.
Pirates made it three from three wins to move 12 points off leaders Mamelodi Sundowns – with three games in hand over the reigning champions – sandwiched between their CAF Champions League quarter-final with MC Alger.
Captain Nkosinathi Sibisi netted the only goal of the game to secure all three points, with a scrappy goal, representing the type of football that was needed on the surface.
“I think it’s always an ugly when you play at the Old Peter Mokaba, there’s only way, the state of the field is terrible, slow, bumpy, not a football ground, so you have to find a way to not concede and be patient and wait for opportunities,” he told SuperSport TV.
“We had a lot of quality and opportunities this time came in a set-peice, massive three points, so happy to collect three points because not everyone can do it, against a very disciplined team that today was running an extra mile, happy with three points.”
The Spaniard who the club announced will be leaving at the end of his three-year contract at the end of this season, is leading the side in contention for the league, Champions League and Nedbank Cup after already securing five domestic cups since his arrival in 2022.
“They want to win, they have been showing they want to win since day one this season, nobody can say the opposite, they wanted to win the game, we spoke at half-time, we felt it was coming, we had to be patient, we had to continue and in one of those chances, one set-piece or special situation we need to capitalise and we defended well,” he added.
“I don’t think we conceded a single goal chance, one action in a corner that managed to get the ball in, but over above that we did a fantastic job in a short space of time, but yeah thinking already into the next [game].
“We’re playing every game at the limit, three more points, now we have to go to the Champions League, then another final in the Nedbank, like I said before the game, it’s the consequence after being competitive since day one.
“These players, this group, this coaching staff, they are doing wonders this season, let’s continue until the end.”
