Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has explained his reaction with the club’s fans after Thalente Mbatha lost possession in some moments during the game.
The Buccaneers booked their place in the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League after a 2-1 win over Algerian giants CR Belouizdad at Orlando Stadium on Sunday evening courtesy of strikes from Relebohile Mofokeng and Thalente Mbatha.
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The Spanish mentor leapt to Mbatha’s defence urging the fans that they must understand that players are also human beings with feelings, showing that emotion toward the fans after Mbatha’s belter from range which won them the game.
“It’s a normal reaction during the games,” a calm Riveiro told the media after match.
“I think there was a moment Thalente [Mbatha] lost a couple of balls. The atmosphere changed a little bit, and we can’t afford to do that. It’s an emotional reaction because the players are humans.
“They have feelings. It’s important that they feel that they are playing home every single minute, not only when they are scoring or when we’re playing nice.
“Sometimes, we have to understand that it’s not that easy, we have an opponent in front that also wants to win.
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“This is a tough competition so we need to capitalize something not every club has which is our fanbase. So, again, it’s a moment of the game, maybe I shouldn’t, but it’s an emotional moment but I think we fine.
“I think the fans today they play a big role, coming in numbers and we try to play for them most of the time.”
