Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has explained Patrick Maswanganyo was taken off at half-time to protect him from the referee.
Maswanganyi donned the historical No. 10 jersey and was one of the star performers, as Pirates eased past Disciples FC at Orlando Stadium on Friday night.
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He scored his side’s third goal with a well-placed shot in the 28th minute but didn’t come out after the half-time break.
Riveiro explained after the match that it was due to Tito picking up a yellow card, with Makhehleni Makhaula coming on to protect the lead.
“He got a yellow card in the first half and there were a couple of actions in the end of the second [first] half where the referee was looking for Tito’s reaction, intimidating a little bit,” he told Mazola Molefe on SABC Sport.
“And like I said we have to reduce the possibilities or probabilities of the opponents to come back and that’s why.
“We play a little bit more safe with 3-0, we introduce Makhaula to consolidate a little bit the result in the second half, that’s why.”
Pirates will now face the winner between Jwaneng Galaxy and Namibian Premier League champions African Stars, who won the first leg 1-0, with the second leg taking place Saturday afternoon.
