Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has outlined how positional switch for the likes of Patrick Maswanganyi, Relebohile Mofokeng and Mohau Nkota was key in getting the much-needed goal in the second half against Polokwane City.
The Buccaneers narrowed the gap on leaders Mamelodi Sundowns to 12 points after being kept at bay by the home side before they struck in the 67th minute courtesy of Nkosinathi Sibisi.
The Spaniard, who has confirmed that he will be qutting the club at the end of the current season, explained how the pitch made it difficult for them as well how their patience paid off following their cautious approach.
“We changed a little bit the way we were attacking behind Appollis in the first half in our right side,” Riveiro told the media.
“It’s a complex team to play against Polokwane City because they doing man-markings in the central corridor. They doing man-marking with the full-backs, so it’s difficult to find your key or the most talented players on the field with two seconds. You have one [second].
“The field is taking you half of that second that you have to be on the goal so, so you have to consider four or five seconds to control the ball make efficient.
“We changed a little bit like I said in the second half. The position of Patrick [Maswanganyi] and the position of Rele [Mofokeng] and [Mohau] Nkota in order to have a different product in those balls we were playing behind the full-backs especially in the left-side when he was jumping to Deano [van Rooyen].
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“I think it gave us more time in their half or more depth to at least to see them and have the possibility to rotate.
“And then the position of Tito as well. Nothing much, just more details.
“It’s like I said, there’s not much you can do here in this field and not putting yourself immediately in problems in transitions.
“I mean you can load more players even forward but you gonna pay. You can see they have [Mokibelo] Ramabu and Appollis are always ready to collect the first pass, and they do it very well. They have a fantastic connection among themselves and it’s diffcult to stop them.”
