Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has reacted to their shock exit from the Carling Knockout at the hands of Magesi on Saturday afternoon.
Pirates came into the last-16 fixture against the newly promoted side brimming with confidence with 11 games without defeat in all competitions and winning the MTN8.
However, Clinton Larsen’s side devastating counter-attacking play to end the first half saw them race into the 3-0 lead at the break.
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Pirates through everything in the second half for the comeback with Kabelo Dlamini and Evidence Makgopa’s scoring in the final stages of the game.
Mohau Nkota looked to have grabbed a last-minute equaliser but the effort was correctly ruled out for offside.
“I’d say quite a good 30 minutes in the first half, we go on into the game and controlling the rhythm of the match with several opportunities, clear opportunities inside this period, even after the cooling break we kept playing the game in areas we wanted to,” Riveiro said.
“Not really fortunate in the last meters, the last decisions and yeah in the space of 12 minutes in the first half suddenly the opponents lead 3-0, in two situations the first two goals, it was unacceptable, it cannot happen, but it happened.
“So 2-0 up [to Magesi] and the penalty just before half-time, 3-0, made it a very difficult scenario for us in the second half. We managed to come back with the intention to get close as soon as possible, scoring the first one.
“I think we created quite a lot, we hit the post three times in the second half if I’m not wrong, we scored the first goal but it was obviously too late after 86 minutes, one more goal made it 3-2… we were close, really close to equalise but not possible.
“Football is a scoring game, we can speak about the 30 attempts at goal and the three shots of the opponent, but they won 3-2, so congratulations to Magesi, they are in the next round and we are not, that’s all.”
Piartes now turn their attention back to the league with SuperSport United at home on Tuesday evening.