Orlando Pirates head coach Jose Riveiro believes his charges were deserved winners in the 1-0 away win over Polokwane City in the DSTV Premiership tie hosted at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
Striker Evidence Makgopa saved Bucs’ blushes with a 68th minute winner. The result moved the Sea Robbers into fourth place, two points behind Cape Town City in second place.
Riveiro believes Pirates rode their luck on the encounter as Polokwane made it hard for them to play their usual football.
“It was a difficult one, like I said it’s going to be before the match. They managed to reduce the tempo in the first half and again in the beginning of the second half.
“We struggled to find continuity in our game, but anyway I think we did quite good in the first half getting clear chances to get an early lead.
“But if you don’t do it, it’s always difficult with those tricky moments of the game when you don’t want to make a mistake and be far from getting three points,” Riveiro told SuperSport TV after the match.
Riveiro is adamant Bucs should have scored more goals had they concerted their opportunities.
“Luckily we managed to score from a set-piece. We should have went on to score in the last minutes, but it was not easy. They were defending well, man-marking and it’s always difficult. But overall, I think we did a good job and deserve the final result,” Riveiro noted.
Bucs will rest for two full days before they face Cape Town Spurs in a league clash at Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.
Spurs shocked Bucs with a 2-1 win in the reverse encounter at Athlone Stadium.
