Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro has lauded the mentality of Evidence Makgopa after bagging a brace after coming on as a substitute.
Makgopa bagged two late goals to help Pirates down Polokwane City 3-0 in their league encounter at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
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Monnapule Saleng’s opener set the tone for an impressive second-half showing where Pirates were ruthless in front of goal.
“I’m happy with the contribution from the bench, one more time, it was crucial in Botswana, crucial against Chippa to come back after they scored, it was crucial in the second game against Jwaneng,” he said in the post-match press conference.
“Today [Makgopa] was exceptionally good, like everybody who is not in the starting eleven, it’s difficult but the people who is coming from the bench, they are showing they are willing to die for the team even if they get a minute.
“That is very good news for all of us and people are waiting for their opportunities, and Evidence, Karim, Sibisi, everyone involved, they performing the level we need in certain moments of the game.
“There’s many days that, as much as you dominate and control, you can find yourself in the last stages of the match 0-0 or the game not clearly done. The contribution from the players coming, five, 10, 15, 25 minutes, in modern football is extremely, extremely important.”
Pirates are now nine games unbeaten to start the 2024/25 season in all competitions after the impressive win over Rise and Shine.
